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Record numbers expected for this year's Sigma Run

Published:Wednesday | January 19, 2011 | 12:00 AM
Senior superintendent in charge of traffic, Radcliffe Lewis (left), points out the Sigma Corporate Run route at the press launch for this year's staging at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel yesterday. Looking on are (from left) Alfred 'Frano' Francis, racing committee chairman; Hugh Lawson, chief executive officer, National Health Fund; Donovan Perkins, president and CEO, Pan Caribbean Financial Services; and Superintendent Courtney Coubrie. - Contributed

Jermaine Lannaman , Gleaner Writer

Jamdammers Running Club road racing committee chairman, Alfred 'Frano' Francis, says he is looking forward to another record turnout at this year's 13th staging of the Pan Caribbean Sigma 5K Corporate Run, the annual run organised for charity.

The event, which attracted a record field of more than 11,000 participants last year, including overseas competitors, is scheduled to take place on Sunday, February 20 through the streets of New Kingston and environs.

Francis affirmed at yesterday's official launch of the event at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston that the partnership between the Pan Caribbean Sigma run and corporate Jamaica over the years is a testimony to the growth in the awareness of participating in a healthy lifestyle programme.

"With this in mind, and given the yearly trends, we are therefore looking forward to having close to 15,000 participants, as not only will there be athletes, but more and more companies are encouraging their staff members to participate, as a means of a healthy lifestyle," he added.

VJH to benefit

The event, which will this year be seeking to raise $15 million for the Victoria Jubilee Hospital's neonatal care unit which is short on equipment, is expected to bring together a number of the country's top road racers, who in addition to the title honours, will walk away with prizes and awards.

The MyLaps Timing technology for accuracy and efficiency was used for first time at last year's Run. Phillip Edwards walked away with the men's title in the 5K run after clocking 18:09. Horace Burey (18:22) claimed second while Wilfred Wilson (18:26) was third.

In the women's section, the overseas-based Elizabeth Mondon captured the title in a time of 19:46, while Arieta Martin (21:07) and Jacqueline Anderson (21:49), finished second and third, respectively.

The event which raised close to $12 million last year for the Sir John Golding Rehabilitation Centre will, in addition to the main 5K runs, feature other segments such as a corporate run and walk, corporate team run and walk and wheelchair categories.