Sigma Corporate Run attracts record crowd

Jermaine Lannaman, Gleaner Writer

A LARGE cross section of Jamaicans, especially from the business sector, was on hand yesterday to support the 12th annual Pan Caribbean Sigma Corporate Run, which was held in and around the environs of New Kingston.

The event, which attracted a record crowd, and got off to a prompt 7:30 a.m. start, saw more than 11,000 runners, walkers and wheelchair-mobile individuals taking part in a bid to help raise funds for the Sir John Golding Rehabilitation Centre and other institutions which care for children with disabilities. Yesterday's turnout was 3,000 more than last year's.

"When one stood at the start of the race, and looked down Knutsford Boulevard, and saw the amount of people lining the streets for the start of the race, it was amazing," said Donovan Perkins, president and CEO of Pan Caribbean Financial Services.

"A number of people at the Sir John Golding Rehabilitation Centre are suffering from ailments, some unfortunately from gun-related incidents, which continue to haunt the country, and to know that we will be able to assist them gives us even greater pleasure," he added.

The race, which lasted 5.6 kilometres and used the latest MyLaps bib/chip timing technology, started on Knutsford Boulevard and moved on to Trafalgar Road, winding its way into Half-Way Tree before ending at Emancipation Park with an awards and prize-giving ceremony; and after party.

Category winners

Topping the list of individual corporate awards were Red Stripe/D&G Malta's Al Barnes, Petrojam's Ricardo Neins and Bismuth's Cleve Jumpp, who finished first, second and third, respectively, in the executive management section of the Corporate Run.

The Corporate Walk executive management segment was captured by the National Housing Trust's Donald Moore, ahead of Lascelles Limited's Devon Kitson and Carreras Limited's Michael Bernard.

In the Corporate Walk individual category, Nyasha Heaven of Financial Services Commission topped the female list, ahead of Pauline Mairs of Jamaica Biscuit Company and Hyacinth Brown-Baker of the RJR Communications Group.

The male list was headed by Martin Calame of Champion Betting Company, with Cecil Neufville of Tropical Foods Division and Marlon Pryce of Peak Bottling Company finishing second and third, respectively.

The Corporate Team Run section was won by the Bank of Jamaica, which was represented by Stephan Wisdom, Clifford Bogle, Phillip Hyman, Shernett Falconer, Carey-Anne Williams. Red Stripe/D&G Malta and National Commercial Bank ended second and third, respectively.

jermaine.lannaman@gleanerjm.com.