Record-breaking $91.8-m raised at 25th Sagicor Sigma Run
Sunday February 12, 2023 was a historic day for Sagicor Group Jamaica as the financial conglomerate through its charitable arm, Sagicor Foundation Jamaica, announced that a record-breaking $91,852,500 was raised at the 25th staging of its Sigma Corporate Run.
Dubbed “The Legacy Run” in honour of its silver anniversary, all proceeds raised from the charity road race, held in New Kingston, will go to the 2023 Sigma Run beneficiaries – the University Hospital of the West Indies Paediatric Unit and the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts.
“I am overcome with joy, and truly grateful for the tremendous support we received to make this historic raise possible,” said Christopher Zacca, President and CEO, Sagicor Group Jamaica at the start of the race.
Over the past two years, the Sagicor Sigma Corporate Run events were scaled down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with limited participation for the road race. Last year, the organisation surpassed its long-standing fundraising target of $50 million, and raised $52 million for the sole beneficiary for the 2022 event, Kingston Public Hospital.
“We here at Sagicor are beyond thankful to have the full support of our sponsors, donors, race participants, volunteers and well-wishers as we celebrate and commemorate our silver anniversary, and our legacy of giving back,” Zacca said.
“It is because of them why we are able to do this year after year,” he added.
Over 21,000 people registered for the charity road race, which included run, walk and wheelchair participants. The signature road race culminated what was dubbed ‘Sigma Week’ by the organisation, which started off with a church service at Webster Memorial United Church on Sunday February 5, then a special Legacy Awards and Fundraiser event on February 8 that honoured stalwarts of Sigma Run.
Olympic and world champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Olympian Asafa Powell served as the 2023 Sigma Run Patrons, both athletes having previously served as patrons for the charity event.
Crossing the finish line in first place for the male and female categories were Garfield Gordon in 17.32 and Jozanne Harris, 23:20, respectively.
The Sigma Corporate Run started in February 1999 in downtown Kingston. This year’s sum brings the total amount of funds raised by Sigma Run to over $640 million for over 25 charities and institutions.
