VOTUALEVU College student Avikash Lal won the first-ever World Heart Day fun run organised in Fiji.
The race, organised by the Jet Runners Club in association with the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Youth and Sport, was held in Lautoka and because of the bad weather, only 37 participants turned up.
The 17-year-old Lal, who trains in the hills of Votualevu in Nadi, is the reigning champion of the Nadi leg of the Olympic Fun Run and won the 3.3km run in 10 minutes 42 seconds.
In second place, was Emmanuel Woodley, just 13 seconds behind Lal. Woodley also won the under-18 male category.
Mereseini Naidau, who won four gold medals for Fiji at the Oceania Championships in July, won the women's competition in 14 minutes and 26 seconds.
Club president Abinesh Kumar said despite the low turnout the event was successful in promoting healthy living.
"I think less people turned up because of the rain but the important part was getting the message across that we need to look after our heart," Kumar said.
"Walking and running is required to improve general health, fitness and is really good for the heart," he said.
He said he would like to see more children and women take up walking and running.
Former national rep Bimlesh Kumar won the Veterans males category ahead of Josese Wara while Nai Dakua won the veteran females race ahead of Shobna Chand.
Waisea Naitei won the primary school category.