Special Olympian Tanto Campbell competes in his wheelchair ahead of several runners in the 2007 Pan Caribbean Sigma Run on Sunday. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer

Melissa Crooks, marketing manager at Pan Caribbean Financial Services, said she was elated with the turnout and equally happy that the company's target was far surpassed at this year's ninth staging of the Pan Caribbean Sigma Run on Sunday.

"These proceeds will go a far way in assisting the Jamaica Aids Support in carrying out its mission. We intend to purchase a mobile HIV/AIDS unit for the Jamaica Aids Support," Crooks explained.

Over 7,000 people took part in the charity event which is considered to be the largest road race in Jamaica.

Donation

Janice Jarrett, a Jamaica Aids Support board member, said she was extremely pleased that Pan Caribbean had chosen her group as the beneficiary.

"Jamaica Aids Support for Life is indebted to Pan Caribbean for its efforts here today. We will now be able to better carry out our efforts in the fight against the deadly HIV/AIDS epidemic," said Jarrett.

The day's proceeds amounted to $3.5 million, much more than the Pan Caribbean Sigma Run had promised ($2.8 million) due to hundreds of unexpected entries.

In addition to these proceeds, the Bank of Nova Scotia, in an impromptu gesture, pledged an additional $500,000 to the charity, making this year's total $4 million.

Some of the corporate companies that partnered, either as sponsors or participants, with Pan Caribbean to raise money for the Jamaica Aids Support were Pear Tree Press, McKay Security, Reggae Mara-thon, Cable & Wireless, Wisynco, Peak Bottling, Mainland International, Red Stripe, Jamaica National, NWC, British High Commission and JPS.

Kerry Ann Walfall and Richard Henry emerged overall winners of the event.

Over 3,000 male and female participants took part in the Walk, which was won by Kerry Ann Gibson with second-place going to Nicole Watson.

Category winners

Craig Smith won the male category with Marvin Gordon finishing second.

Tanto Campbell and Sylvia Grant copped first-place spots for the wheelchair male and female competition, respectively.

Petrene Plummer won the Open event ahead of Amoya Bailey, while Dwayne Powell and Horace Buray won first- and second-place, respectively in the male category.

The Best Overall Corporate Walk Team trophy was won by Wray and Nephew, while the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica took home the Best Overall Corporate Run Team trophy.