Sagicor Foundation today (January 11, 2021) launched the 23rd staging of the Sagicor Sigma Corporate Run and announced that the signature charity race, known for having an average participation of 25,000 persons in New Kingston, will be a virtual run this year due to the current COVID-19 health pandemic.
This year, participants are being encouraged to run their individual races between February 12 and 28th and upload their times via the ‘My Sigma Virtual Run’ platform on the Sagicor Sigma Run website at sagicorsigmarun.com Sagicor will also be partnering with several locations across the island to provide “run sites” that registrants can use to complete their laps.
Speaking at the launch event, hosted at the Pegasus Hotel and broadcast live via the company’s social media platforms – Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, President and CEO of Sagicor Group Jamaica, Christopher Zacca, in his address, said: “This year, for the first time in the history of the Sigma Corporate Run, our enthusiastic supporters will not be able to physically gather in their thousands in support of the cause; but, while we are not able to come together in the usual fashion; we can still unite for the common cause to support this year’s worthy beneficiaries.”
All proceeds from the 2021 Sigma Run will go towards procuring much needed medical equipment for the paediatric and maternity wards of the Annotto Bay and Port Antonio Hospitals, as well as to develop a 1-year programme to get the nation’s children back on track with their education, targeted at students whose studies were significantly impacted due to the disruption in schools caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Tablets will also be purchased to support students who are unable to afford the device for online learning.
This year’s fundraising target is $50 million.
Since its inception in 1999, Sigma Run has impacted numerous lives and has contributed greatly to developing various institutions across Jamaica. Through the support of corporate Jamaica and individuals over the years, Sigma Run has raised over $450 million to support numerous health, education and child related charities throughout Jamaica.
In addition to registering for the race, persons can also donate to the cause via the Sagicor Sigma Run website and support other fundraising efforts. For persons looking for tangible keepsakes, the Sigma Run Pop-up Shop has active wear and other fitness related gears for sale. Funds generated from this initiative go towards the monies raised for the beneficiaries.
There will also be an Invitational Race event on Sunday, February 21 in New Kingston with a limited number of participants competing. To be eligible to be invited, persons and corporate teams must register for the run by January 31.
