Whether you’re racing for the win or just looking to add a little movement to your weekend, all roads lead to Leo Palace this Saturday for the “Run For Wishes” event. More than just a run, it’s a chance to make a difference—every step helps grant life-changing wishes for island children facing critical health challenges. With cash prizes, food trucks, and plenty of fun, it’s an event that promises a good time for an even greater cause.

What if something as simple as taking a scenic walk or going for a run could help turn wishes into reality for children with critical illnesses?

Wishes the likes of which that Kaleena Camacho, Make-A-Wish Foundation for Guam and the CNMI detailed, as she said, "The most recent one we had here at Leo Palace–the wonderful staff here at Leo worked with us to hold a fourth birthday party for a little girl named Malia–they went above and beyond to make sure her birthday wish was one to remember."

“To have a local wish really means something–because a lot of our kids have a wish to go off-island to travel to Disney–but to have something here where the community could get involved to come in and see really does make a big difference.”

That’s the heart behind “Run For Wishes” - a 2K, 5K, 10K, and half-marathon all to benefit Make-A-Wish. "The money that is raised at this event is going to stay locally to help grant wishes for children here and in the CNMI," Camacho added. “I’m not sure if many of you know, Make-A-Wish is completely and solely funded by the generosity of individuals and the business community. We do not get government funding, and we do not get federal grants. All the money raised is just out of the kindness of people and businesses." 

“Just trying to remind the community that these are our kids–these are the children that you are working to raise money for, these are the children that you’re going to make magic for.”

Bringing that magic to life are Clutch Guam, the Guam Running Club, and Leo Palace—joining forces to inspire the community to give back. Clutch fonder Dom Sablan said, "Schack [von Rumohr] and Richard [Taitague] really set this vision from Day One–a lot of careful planning, a lot of meetings—Clutch, we’re not in the running community as much, but we did want to bring our expertise as well and try and help coordinate all of this–and of course, benefiting make-a-wish–what better non-profit to give back to and make a difference.”

Taitague with the GRC says there’s a course for everyone, saying, “We have a 2K course, it starts up at the track, goes down to the swimming pool. After the 5k, we have the 10k course–50% of it is on a hard surface, the other 50% is a trail run–it’s challenging. Then, of course, we have the 13 miles that go out to Chalan Pago, Yona, Pulantat, and then back to Leo Palace. The four events that we have accommodate all the different kinds of runners in Guam—you have the beginners, the adventure runner, the competitive runner, and ultra marathon runners, so we have all kinds of events for them.”

And the celebration doesn’t end at the finish line, as von Rumohr added, "We have a couple of food trucks out there–we’ll have some vendors who will sell their products, some beverage stations so after the race you can mix and mingle and stay around there, and we also have for every racer–a $12 all you can eat breakfast buffet after that–So, making sure that you don’t just go home and say okay that’s it. We want to capture as many people as possible to stay behind.”

And if you haven’t signed up yet—it’s not too late. Registration is still open online and in person. Taitague said, "We’re also going to be here tonight and tomorrow from 3-7 to register late runners.”

The race package includes a finisher medal, shirt, vizor, socks, and bag—plus exciting prizes for winners, including a $1,000 award for the first place half-marathoner. The race kicks off this Saturday, September 13, at Leo Palace Resort—showtime is 5 am, and start time is 5:30.