Tadlas, Jaro top 1K@Amway fun run

UNHERALDED Bobby Tadlas and Brokenshire College standout Cellie Rose Jaro bagged five-kilometer (5K) titles in the just-concluded 1K@Amway Fun Run held in an out-and-back course from Tulip Drive, Quimpo Boulevard in Matina.

Tadlas clocked 17 minutes and 10 seconds to emerge champion in men's 5K while Ronald Dagaang timed 17:57 to place second. Roel Javasco finished in 19:17 for third in the footrace organized by Amway and managed by Kenneth Sai-led Vantage Promotions.

Jaro, for her part, checked in at 20:56 to rule the women's 5K over Princess Novem and Christine Javasco who settled for second and third, respectively. Novem registered 21:19 while Javasco made it in 21:59.

In 1K, Rudy Putian raced past rivals Eduard Asugue and Philip Maceda to govern the men's event. Putian recorded 5:54 over Asugue's 10:01 and Maceda's 10:53.

Carolyn Gotales (7:48), meanwhile, took the women's crown at the expense of Bernadeth Garagay (7:55) and Sonja Takala (8:15).

The winners received medals, certificates and Amway gift packs.

Amway country manager Leni Olmedo, in an interview, was elated by the turnout of participants.

"We surpassed our 1,000 target. By estimate, there were some 1,200 runners who joined and half of them are non-IBOs (independent business owners)," said Olmedo who also led the turn-over of books to run beneficiary Lacson Elementary School that was represented by its principal Elizabeth Ayag.

The Davao leg was the third stop in the four run series that kicked off in Manila on Jan. 12 then proceeded to Cagayan de Oro on Jan. 26. Baguio City will host the final stop on Feb. 16.

The 1K@Amway campaign, which promotes to start a healthy habit by running at least one kilometer. It also benefits the Amway's One By One Campaign for children in partnership with the Department of Education's adopt-a-school program. (MLSA)