Around 1,000 runners, mostly National Training Service Program-Civic Welfare Training Service (NSTP-CWTS) students, participated in the second staging of the Amos Ta’ Run, Takbo Mo 2 benefit and awareness marathon which hopes to encourage young people to become active citizens and get more involved in serving the people to create positive change.
The marathon, which was held on February 17 at the bay walk grounds, was organized by the JCI Puerto Princesa Oil, Inc. (JCIPPOI or Oil Jaycees)
Oil Jaycees president Rexlin Azarcon said this year’s run was not only about encouraging the youth to get involved in helping their communities but also to raise funds for Oplan Kaagapay, a national project of the JCI Philippines, Inc. (JCIPI) that provides funding support to calamity-stricken areas in the country.
“Last year ginawa natin ang Amos Ta’Run for victims of bagyong Vinta sa Balabac. Ngayon naman ang specific purpose natin is to provide funds for Oplan Kaagapay. Oplan Kaagapay is a national project of the JCI Philippines. Ang aim nito ay magkaroon tayo ng fund at kapag nagkaroon ng mga hindi natin inaasahan na kalamidad, like sunog, natural disasters… tayo ‘yong magiging isa sa first responders. At least may fund kami,” he added.
Azarcon said the participation of the NSTP-CWTS students has inspired them more to continue Amos Ta’ Run in the coming years to motivate the Puerto Princesa youth to be part of the solution instead of being part of the problem in the city.
“Ngayon in-involve natin ‘yong mga estudyante, especially sa NSTP kasi gusto natin na as early as now ay ma-immerse sila sa social work kasi ‘yon naman ang CWTS, community service. Which is naging successful naman ngayon, makikita naman natin sa crowd halos karamihan ay estudyante,” he said.
Azarcon said they did not expect the turnout for Amos Ta’ Run last Sunday compared to 2018’s only about 100 runners.
He added that the participation of young students will also make them realize their relevance in building better communities.
In 2020, Azarcon said they are targeting to encourage more members of non-government organizations (NGOs) and the business sector to participate in the marathon as some percentage of the fund it will be able to collect will go to differently-abled athletes.
The marathon was divided into three categories — 10K, 5K and 3K.
Top 25 finishers of each category received medals at the end of the race.
