Family help him stay fit

SINGAPORE - Property agent Eugene Aw is gunning for a silver in his Individual Physical Proficiency Test (IPPT) later this year.

It is a far cry from 10 years ago, when he barely scraped a pass due to his lack of fitness. Since then, he has been running every week at Punggol Park, joined by his family - wife Eileen Liow, 45, and daughters Eunice, 18, and Ellery, 15.

His efforts have paid off - he has consistently achieved silver since 2006. "I used to just do last-minute training two to three weeks before the test, but now, we do it together, so I run more regularly," said Mr Aw, 46, a senior lieutenant-colonel (NS) with the 10th Singapore Infantry Brigade.

Mr Aw strives for silver every year as he believes in "leading by example".

The weekly run also provides a vital bonding session for the busy family."It is harder now that the kids have tests to study for and their own activities," said Mr Aw.

Ms Liow, an account executive, still joins her husband on most of his runs. "It is a good way to keep fit and accompany him," she said. "I need the exercise too."

Last September, the Aws took part in their first organised run, joining the 5km Safra event.

"This time, we are hoping to increase it to 10km," said Mr Aw. "But what is most important is that we do it as a family."

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