Sigma Run Timeline

2022

A new first was achieved for the Sagicor Sigma Corporate Run with the event taking place over two days. The Sagicor Sigma Team Bubble Run was held on March 13, 2022 and the Sagicor Sigma Invitational Run taking place on March 20, 2022. The events raised over $52 Million for the Kingston Public Hospital, surpassing the target of $50 Million. These two events reflected Sagicor’s commitment to maintain two of the event’s core aspects, team comraderie and road running, despite the challenges of the covid-19 protocols. The Sagicor Sigma Team Bubble Run saw participants from 50 teams going off in waves of up to 240 persons at a time. On March 20, 2022 the second Sagicor Sigma Invitational Run took place, the first of which took place in 2021, at the heights of the covid-19 pandemic. The 2022 Invitational Run saw 133 males and 129 females participating.

Beneficiaries: Kingston Public Hospital

Funds Raised: J$52 Million

2021

Due to the restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 23rd staging of the Sagicor Sigma Corporate Run was re-imagined, and instead of the usual 25,000 strong participation, a special in-person Invitational Run was held with approximately 90 participants, in keeping with the COVID-19 health and safety protocols. The Invitational was a run only event, with participants completing a double loop route of New Kingston, starting and ending on Knutsford Boulevard. There was also a virtual run element, which allowed participants from anywhere to participate during the Sigma Run period. Sigma Run raised over $49 million for its two beneficiaries – the Port Antonio and Annotto Bay Hospitals in north-eastern Jamaica.

Beneficiaries: Port Antonio Hospital and Annotto Bay Hospital

Funds Raised: J$49 Million

2020

Over 26,000 participants gathered on the Knutsford Boulevard corridor in New Kingston in unity for the noteworthy causes. With the kind contribution and support from corporate Jamaica and individuals, a record $55.3 Million in cash and kind was raised for three beneficiaries: The Bustamante Hospital for Children, Savanna-la-Mar Hospital, and the Clifton Boys’ Home. Jamaican comedian, Ian Ity Ellis, and fitness instructor, Shani McGraham Shirley were the patrons of the run. In addition, the first Sigma Virtual Run was held in 2020. My SIGMA Virtual Run is a virtual race of the Sagicor SIGMA Run which allowed persons to run or walk at their convenience anytime and anywhere, during the race time period from Saturday, February 15 to Sunday, February 23, 2020.

Beneficiaries: Bustamante Hospital for Children, Savanna-la-Mar Hospital, and the Clifton Boys’ Home

Funds Raised: J$55.3 Million

2019

The 2019 Sigma Corporate Run was held on Sunday February 17, 2019. The event raised over $52.4 Million in cash and kind for the three beneficiaries – the Lupus Foundation of Jamaica, the Diabetes Association of Jamaica and the May Pen Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. International Jamaican supermodel Stacey McKenzie and Olympian Yohan Blake were the patrons for the run. The purple cape initiative was a special feature of this staging, done to honour Elva Ruddock, the event’s longstanding and beloved start line MC, who passed away from lupus the year prior. Participants wore purple capes on race day to honour Elva and all those who battle with lupus.

Beneficiaries: Lupus Foundation of Jamaica, Diabetes Association of Jamaica, May Pen Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Funds Raised: J$52.4 Million

2018

The 20th anniversary of the Sagicor Sigma Corporate Run was held on February 18, 2018 with a record number of 26,519 participants. The run raised its target of $50 Million for its beneficiaries. Olympian Usain Bolt, Beauty Queen Davina Bennett and Fitness Coach Patrice White were the patrons of the event. The Spanish Town Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit was a beneficiary for the second consecutive year and received $25 Million in medical equipment from the funds raised.

Beneficiaries: Spanish Town Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, St. Christopher’s School for the Deaf, SOS Children’s Village and the Davina Bennett Foundation

Funds Raised: J$50 Million

2017

The largest road race in the Caribbean region was held under the patronage of Olympian Yohan Blake, Father Ho Lung and Tessanne Chin. The Bethlehem Home received over $22 Million in renovation, refurbishing and repairs, including equipment and a 14 seater bus to better support the mission of the Children’s Home. The Spanish Town Hospital Special Care Unit received medical equipment valued at over $14 Million, while the Mandeville Regional Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit received over $8 Million worth of medical equipment. Most notably is that the Spanish Town Hospital Special Care Unit received their first ventilator as part of the donation. A special feature of the 2017 Sigma Run was the ‘Donate a $100 Day’ initiative made possible through Generosity.com, which allowed persons to donate to the cause from anywhere in the world.

Beneficiaries: The Bethlehem Home for Abandoned Children, Spanish Town Hospital Special Care Unit, the Mandeville Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Funds Raised: J$50.5 Million

2016

Over 24,000 participants took part in the 2016 Sigma Corporate Run, raising $43 Million for Children with Cancer Across Jamaica, The Black River Hospital Paediatric Unit and the Jamaica Cancer Society. The recently formed Sagicor Foundation, rolled out the Sagicor Group employee Volunteer Programme in January 2016, which allowed interested Sagicor team members to register to participate in the company’s CSR initiatives. Over 400 volunteers signed up and provided a strong support team for the delivery of each corporate social responsibility activity across the island, including the Sigma Run. This program was the first spark in creating the culture of volunteerism at Sagicor, which is evident today in every aspect of the Sigma Corporate Run.

Beneficiaries: Children with Cancer Across Jamaica, The Black River Hospital Paediatric Unit and the Jamaica Cancer Society

Funds Raised: J$43 Million

2015

Approximately 24,000 persons participated in the Sigma Corporate Run in 2015, which raised over $26 Million for its beneficiaries – Cornwall Regional Hospital’s Neonatal Unit and the Jamaica Kidney Kids Foundation (JKKF), surpassing the target of $25 Million. The JKKF was presented with a Peritoneal Dialysis Machine and other Dialysis supplies to strengthen its service delivery to kidney patients. The Cornwall Regional Hospital Neonatal Unit received equipment and supplies, including a ventilator, respiratory humidifier and accessories and an air-conditioning system. In addition, Alia Atkinson served as patron of the event, after becoming the first black woman to win a world swimming title, for her win of the 100-metre breaststroke at the 2014 World Championships.

Beneficiaries: Cornwall Regional Hospital’s Neonatal Unit, Jamaica Kidney Kids Foundation (JKKF)

Funds Raised: J$26 Million

2014

The 16th staging of the Sagicor Sigma Corporate Run took place on February 16 under the patronage of Lady Patricia Allen, World and Olympic Champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and season five winner of NBC TV’s The Voice, Tessanne Chin. 2014’s staging of the Sigma Corporate Run saw us surpassing our $17 Million target when we handed over $22 Million raised for the beneficiaries: the Sickle Cell Unit, Tropical Medical Research Unit (TMRI) at the University of the West Indies, the Sickle Cell Trust, Mandeville; The Special Care Nursery at the UHWI and The Jamaica Kidney Kids Foundation. Over 1,000 of our own Sagicor team members also participated in the 22,368-person event. Later that year, the Sigma Corporate Run was recognised for Excellence in Corporate Social Responsibility at the American Chamber of Commerce Business and Civic Leadership Awards banquet held in October.

Beneficiaries: The University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) Tropical Medical Research Unit (TMRI), the Sickle Cell Unit, Mandeville; the Special Care Nursery at the UHWI and The Jamaica Kidney Kids Foundation

Funds Raised: J$22 Million

2013

2013’s staging of the Sigma Corporate Run saw over $16 million raised for and donated to beneficiaries: the Best Care Lodge, Jamaica National Children’s Home and Bustamante Hospital for Children. In addition to our donation, over 1,000 of Sagicor’s team members also participated in the 20,501-person event. The 2013 Run was held under the patronage of Her Excellency Lady Patricia Allen and World and Olympic Champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, OD. The 15th staging also saw the largest increase in participants in the Under-16 race category with an approximate 50 per cent incline in the number of male and female runners over 2012. 314 males and 236 females finished, compared to 2012’s 194 males and 115 females.

Beneficiaries: Best Care Lodge, Jamaica National Children’s Home and Bustamante Hospital for Children

Funds Raised: J$16 Million

2012

Over $33 Million was raised for Chain of Hope Jamaica to support the building of a Cardiac Unit at the Bustamante Hospital for Children, which will serve as a centre of excellence for the Caribbean. With over 16,000 participants, the Sigma Corporate Run became the largest road race in the Caribbean, and the largest road race per capita in the world! This event was supported by the patronage of Her Excellency the Most Hon. Lady Patricia Allen, Dr. the Hon. R. ‘Danny’ Williams and Dr. The Hon. Usain Bolt. This was the first year that patrons were introduced to the run; an element which would become a staple for the event, in rallying donations and registrations.

Beneficiaries: Chain of Hope Jamaica

Funds Raised: J$33 Million

2011

In 2011 Sagicor stood with our subsidiary PanCaribbean in presenting the Sigma Corporate Run. Five Hundred Thousand Dollars (J$500,000) was donated to the 13th Annual Run which raised over Fifteen Million Dollars (J$15M) for the Victoria Jubilee Hospital’s Neo-Natal unit. In addition, we donated two Sagicor Mobile Units which were used to assist the Medical Team for the day. The Sigma Corporate Run saw another record-breaking number of participants with close to 15,000 runners, walkers and riders as compared to the previous year’s 11,185 registrants. A new ‘Watch Yourself Finish’ feature was also added for the 2011 staging, which allowed persons to view video clips of themselves crossing the finish line on the newly formed social media pages for the event on Facebook and Twitter.

Beneficiaries: Victoria Jubilee Hospital’s Neo-Natal unit

Funds Raised: J$15.2 Million

2010

The Sigma Corporate Run saw another record-breaking number of participants with 11,185 persons registered as compared to the previous year’s 10,000 registrants, and raised over $11 Million, surpassing the $10 Million target. The National Health Fund came on board in support of the event, contributing $3.5 Million towards the target. The 2010 beneficiaries were the Sir John Golding Rehabilitation Centre, Jamaica Association for the Deaf and the Jamaica Society for the Blind. The participants of the event also benefitted from a new modern timing system, which was first introduced at the New York City Marathon the year prior.

Beneficiaries: Sir John Golding Rehabilitation Centre, Jamaica Association for the Deaf and the Jamaica Society for the Blind

Funds Raised: J$11.1 Million

2009

Sagicor’s partnership with Pan Caribbean’s Sigma Corporate Run, along with several partners, raised over $14 Million for the Sir John Golding Rehabilitation Center, The Jamaica Society for the Blind and the Jamaica Association for the Deaf. Over 100 companies and more than 9,000 persons participated on March 15, 2009. Also, for the first time, the event featured an open-walk award that was presented to the top three males and females who completed the walk in record time. The Sagicor PanCaribbean Foundation, which later became the Sagicor Foundation, was launched at the end of 2009, with the primary objective to impact the quality of children’s lives in our communities.

Beneficiaries: Bustamante Hospital for Children and pediatric wards of the Spanish Town, May Pen, Victoria Jubilee, Savanna-La-Mar, Mandeville, and Cornwall Regional Hospitals

Funds Raised: J$14.2 Million

2008

The University Hospital of the West Indies, Cornwall Regional Hospital and the Kingston Public Hospital benefitted from $12.2 Million raised at the 2008 Sigma Corporate Run on March 9, 2008. The National Health Fund matched the $6 Million raised by the run, a strong show of support for the cause behind the event. The 10th staging of the event had 85 teams and more than 8,000 persons participating. A highlight of the event was a new timing system which features was implemented with a few participants. The system featured a chip which is attached to the shoes of the participants.

Beneficiaries: Renal Units of the University Hospital of the West Indies, Cornwall Regional Hospital and the Kingston Public Hospital

Funds Raised: J$12.2 Million

2007

‘Race Together for Life’ was the theme of the 2007 Sigma Corporate Run, in aid of the Jamaica Aids Support for Life (JASL). The run raised over $4.2 Million and saw over 7,000 participants and 85 teams. Funds from the run were used to assist the JASL in purchasing a bus for service delivery, among other critical needs.

Beneficiaries: Jamaica Aids Support for Life (JASL)

Funds Raised: J$4.2 Million

2006

The 2006 Sigma Corporate Run saw the addition of a new element to the event’s registration system. An online registration platform was implemented for team registrants, increasing the ease and flexibility with which corporate and non-corporate teams could participate in the run. The run raised $2.9 Million for the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) Labour Ward, to purchase critical care equipment for newborns.

Beneficiaries: University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) Labour Ward

Funds Raised: J$2.9 Million

2005

With the merger of Pan Caribbean Financial Services and Manufacturers Sigma Merchant Bank, the renamed Pan Caribbean Sigma Corporate Run continued to evolve, while maintaining its commitment to corporate social responsibility. The National Blood Transfusion Service was the 2005 beneficiary of the run, with the aim of replacing equipment damaged by hurricane. Over $2 Million was raised on April 10 as participants took the streets of New Kingston, under the theme ‘Run for the Bank that Needs You Most’.

Beneficiaries: National Blood Transfusion Service

Funds Raised: J$2 Million

2004

Sigma Run moved from Breezy Castle, Downtown Kingston, to the location that would become its home for the next 15+ years, Emancipation Park. Just under 2,500 persons registered to participate in support of the beneficiary, the UHWI Leukaemia CARE (Committee for Assistance Work & Education). The run, which took place on April 4, 2004, raised a total of $1.5 Million, surpassing the target of $1.2 Million.

Beneficiaries: University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) Leukaemia CARE

Funds Raised: J$1.5 Million

2003

The 2003 Sigma Corporate Run was held under the theme “One Day a World of Difference” on March 30, 2003 in support of the Sir John Golding Rehabilitation Centre – Completion of Artificial Limb Shop. Funds raised surpassed the $1 Million target, with $1.3 Million raised thanks to the support of over 1,000 participants.

Beneficiaries: Sir John Golding Rehabilitation Centre

Funds Raised: J$1.3 Million

2002

Following a merger of Sigma Investment Management Systems and Manufacturers Sigma Merchant Bank, the run was renamed as the Manufacturers Sigma Corporate Run in 2002.

Under the theme ‘Share and Show You Care’, the run continued on its years of success by raising $1.2 Million for the UHWI Sickle Cell Unit, to purchase a vehicle for home visits.

Beneficiaries: University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) Sickle Cell Unit

Funds Raised: J$1.2 Million

2001

The number of Sigma Run registrants hits four digits for the first time, with 1,000 persons registered to participate. On March 25, 2001 the run took place at Breezy Castle in Downtown Kingston, featuring two new participant categories. A wheelchair category was added, giving members of the Jamaica Paraplegic Wheelchair team an opportunity to participate. In addition, an Under-16 category was added, which saw persons receiving trophies for first, second and their place in the run category. The Bustamante Hospital for Children benefitted from an anaesthetics machine for surgery rooms out of operation.

Beneficiaries: Bustamante Hospital for Children

Funds Raised: J$1.2 Million

2000

The second staging of the Sigma Corporate Run Challenge Cup was held on March 5, 2000, in support of the Sophie’s Place & Mustard Seed Communities. This year saw the begining of one of the beloved aspects of the annual event, the t-shirt competiion. Donations raised equalled that of the previous year, $700,000, which aided the beneficiary which acts as a facility for the care of handicapped infants.

Beneficiaries: Sophie's Place, Mustard Seed Communities

Funds Raised: J$700,000

1999

On December 4, 1998, Sigma Investment Management Systems Limited held the first planning meeting for the Sigma Corporate Run, with a goal of raising funds for charity. “Straight from the Heart” was the theme chosen for the inaugural run, which would take place on February 21, 1999. The Sigma Corporate Run Challenge Cup was born, a road race with the objective of raising $500,000 for its first beneficiary, the Jamaica Foundation for Cardiac Disease. Just under 300 persons completed the run, and together with the support of sponsors and corporate Jamaica, the first Sigma Corporate Run raised $700,000, assisiting 20 children on the waiting list for critical open-heart surgery. It all started here.

Beneficiaries: Jamaica Foundation for Cardiac Disease

Funds Raised: J$700,000