At least one London-based marathon runner is eager to visit Jamaica this weekend to participate in the Caribbean’s largest 5K, the Sagicor Sigma Corporate Run.

Chris Oddy, the winner of the 2016 Globeathon, which is a 5K event sponsored by Sagicor Financial Corporation in Barbados, clocked in at 16:54 minutes and earned a trip to Jamaica to run the Sigma road race this year.

Oddy, who got his start in cross-country, now competes in half marathons and marathons all over the globe, including Paris, Barcelona and Boston.

“I would like to run sub-16 minutes for 2017 for a 5K,” the career marathoner said when asked about his motivation to succeed. “The ultimate aim is to beat my father’s marathon time of 2 hours and 32 minutes.”

This will be Oddy’s first time in Jamaica, but he fondly remembers the Jamaican supporters that rallied behind Usain Bolt in the London 2012 Olympics.

“The people were so full of life and positivity, and I will never forget that,” he said. “So I hope this run will give me a taste of this again.”

Of course Oddy is also eager to see the birthplace of Bolt, and looks forward to competing on the gold medalist’s turf.

The biggest pull to participate in the Sigma Run for Oddy, however, is the beneficiaries: the Bethlehem Home for Abandoned Children, Spanish Town Hospital Special Care Unit and Mandeville Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

According to him, “The Sigma Corporate Run is for an important cause, so it’s great to be a part of this charitable event.”

Plans for the Sagicor Sigma Corporate Run are now in full swing as the annual race is set to take place on Sunday, February 19, in New Kingston. The charity run has set a target of $60 million this year. Since 1999, the run has raised more than $200 million to purchase vital equipment for children and health-related facilities across the island.