Via Jamaica Observer

National 400m hurdler Rushell Clayton says she is honoured to take part in the Sagicor Sigma Honour Run this year because of a personal attachment to one of its causes.

Clayton, a two-time World Athletics Championship bronze medallist, will join Reggae Boyz Captain Andre Blake and FYAH 105 FM radio personality DJ Bambino as patrons when the run takes place on Sunday, February 18.

The run aims to raise $100 million this year, which would be the largest in its 26-year history. Last year’s event raised $92 million, which surpassed the $75-million target organisers set.

This year’s beneficiaries are National Chest Hospital in St Andrew, Danny Williams School for the Deaf in Kingston, and Savanna-La-Mar Public General Hospital in Westmoreland.

Clayton says, for personal reasons, she could not decline when she received the invitation from the Sagicor Group.

“When I found out that the Savanna-la-Mar Hospital was a beneficiary I was so excited,” she said during the Jamaica Observer’s Monday Exchange earlier this week. “I was born there. My parents were born there. I have two siblings who are pregnant right now, and I’m sure that’s where they’re going to have their children.

“They’re in need of all this equipment so it was just an honour to be on board.

“When I got the call I was like, ‘Yes, yes, yes.’

“I’ve always wanted to be a part of giving back; I’ve always given back. It may not be in a big capacity but I’ve always given back in small areas, and to be in the spotlight using my image to help is just an amazing feeling and something I’ve always wanted to be a part of.”

This year’s run will honour late philanthropist R Danny Williams, who founded Sagicor Foundation.

Sagicor Group President and Chief Executive Officer Chris Zacca says the three beneficiaries were chosen from over 20 applicants.

“We have a process every year,” he said. “It involves the team canvassing — and we get a lot of requests. That’s the first place we start. We do site visits, et cetera. The Danny Williams School for the Deaf, with all due respect, was a no-brainer and very much in need of support.

“In terms of the two hospitals, we actually work closely with the National Health Fund to identify those hospitals in the system that were not only in need — because I think every hospital is in need — but those hospitals that were ready to accept and implement a donation this year. That is how we came to those two hospitals.”

Race Director Alfred Francis, of Running Events Jamaica, describes the run as one which “touches the hearts of people”.

“Jamaicans, as a whole, are good people so when they see a good avenue that they can contribute to, they take advantage of it,” he said. “It speaks to the greatness of the Sigma run, it speaks to the value that Sagicor places on it and the goodwill that they have created.”

The race starts at Knutsford Boulevard then continues west along Trafalgar Road, onto Waterloo Avenue, then left onto West Kings House Road. From there, it continues down Constant Spring Road, then makes a left onto Hope Road. It then makes a right onto Winchester Avenue before making another right onto Ruthven Road. From there, racers go left onto Half-Way-Tree Road, then east onto Oxford Road before finishing at Emancipation Park.

Although the route remains unchanged, Francis says the course will be made more fun for participants this year.

“We have found that persons are into the Sigma Run for contributing to the needy and for fun,” he said. “We’re going to try to make more fun on the roads so I’m saying that you can go in your wheelchair, you can run, you can walk, and you can dance because we’ll have a lot of music along the way.”

Organisers are aiming for 26,050 participants this year and they have until today to register.