JAMAICA’S largest road race, PanCaribbean’s Sigma Corporate Run, is placing an even greater emphasis on caring for the environment this year.

PanCaribbean Financial Services Limited, the event’s organisers, have once again joined forces with the Protect the Environment Trust (PET) and will be going “green”. All plastic bottles and aluminium cans used during the event will be recycled, and participants are being encouraged to use less paper during registration.

“On race day, February 21 (today), participants will be encouraged to dispose of the specified recyclables in the separate containers provided by PET, with PanCaribbean volunteers monitoring the containers,” said Karlene Dennis, assistant manager of group public relations for PanCaribbean Financial Services, in a release to the media.

“We started working with PET two years ago on this project and have begun to extend our recycling effort by cutting back on the paper usage during registration,” she added.

PET, for its part, noted that there were many gains from recycling.

“A friendlier environment means longer lasting plant and animal life. Research has revealed that it takes over a million years to break down plastics. Additionally, going green creates job opportunities because the process of recycling is very labour-intensive,” said one company representative.

Last year, the Sigma Corporate Run attracted approximately 10,000 participants and raised more than $14 million to benefit the Bustamante Hospital for Children and the paediatric wards of the Spanish Town, May Pen, St Ann’s Bay, Savanna-la-Mar, Cornwall Regional and Mandeville Regional hospitals. The National Health Fund (NHF) and the Shaggy Make a Difference Foundation were major sponsors of the event.

“This year promises to be another success, with over 100 corporate companies already registered to participate,” noted the PanCaribbean Financial Services press release.

Partners for the 12th annual Sigma Corporate Run include Sagicor Life Jamaica, NHF and Reggae Marathon with sponsors Catherine’s Peak, National Baking Company, RJR Communications Group, The Gleaner Company, Wisynco, D&G Malta, Digicel, Advertising and Marketing Jamaica, Pepsi, Digital Technology, and Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority.

The 5.6K (3.5 mile) race will start on Knutsford Boulevard and end at Emancipation Park, New Kingston. The event will see walkers, runners and people in wheelchairs participating with the hope of raising $10 million for the Sir John Golding Rehabilitation Centre and other institutions that care for children with disabilities.