The year 2025 marks the 27th staging of the Sagicor Sigma Corporate Run. Since its inception in 1999, this event has raised $750 million for institutions in need, transforming countless lives across Jamaica. But beyond the impressive numbers and before the first runner even takes a step, there is a dedicated team of volunteers who make it all possible.
Each year, about 600 volunteers come together, ensuring the Sigma Run is not just a success, but an unforgettable experience for everyone involved. They are the ones who organise, coordinate, and support logistics both before and on race day. They work tirelessly behind the scenes to help make each year’s event bigger and better.
Among them is Maureen Banton, a woman who has given her time, energy, and heart to the cause since it started in 1999, returning year after year without hesitation.
LABOUR OF LOVE
Banton’s role in Sigma Run is demanding, but she thrives on the challenge. In the weeks leading up to the event, she leads the bib labelling and verification process, ensuring that race kits for over 27,000 registrants are ready for pick-up – a skillset that she has mastered over the years.
“It’s a lot,” she admits. “There are always challenges – sometimes things come down to the wire, but in the end, it’s all worth it.”
For Banton, volunteering is second nature. She admits, however, that it found her – rather than the other way around. She fondly recalls her first experience as a volunteer as a young child during Jamaica’s 25th Independence celebrations. Since then, her passion for giving back has only grown, extending far beyond Sigma.
Her generosity extends to everyday moments – whether it’s collecting food to donate to those seeking help at stoplights or buying extra groceries for someone in need, there is no limit on her kindness.
“Giving back is just a part of who I am,” she says simply. “It’s nothing hard – when I see someone in need and know I can help, I just do it.”
WHY SHE KEEPS COMING BACK
After more than two decades, why does Banton remain committed to Sigma?
Her answer is simple: “I see what this race does. I see how it helps those in need, and it makes me happy”.
This year, the funds raised will go towards the Kingston Public Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit, Sir John Golding Rehabilitation Centre and Father Ho Lung & Friends Foundation.
These institutions provide critical support to some of Jamaica’s most vulnerable citizens, and Banton understands just how much they rely on Sigma Run’s donations.
“Once you see how it helps people, you can’t turn away,” she says. “Every year, I remind myself that my small role here [at the Sigma Secretariat] makes a difference. That’s why I do it.”
She encourages all Jamaicans to give back in whatever way they can, no matter how small. “Volunteering, even in little ways, is a good feeling – it’s about helping those in need.”
MORE THAN JUST A RACE
The Sagicor Sigma Corporate Run is more than just a fundraising event – it is a testament to what can be achieved when people come together for a shared cause. While the runners may be the ones crossing the finish line, it is volunteers like Banton who make it all happen.
Her story is one of dedication, selflessness, and a deep love for community. And just like Banton, there are hundreds of other volunteers – students, professionals, retirees – who step forward each year, ready to give their time and energy to something greater than themselves.
