LIKE he did last year, Horace Burey was again in front as he captured the 14th annual Pan Caribbean Sigma Corporate Run yesterday, finishing the 5.6km event in 18:08.

Burey got the better of his friend Andrew Gutzmore, who clocked 18:18 for second place. Third went to Keroy Benjamin, who covered the course in 18:27.

Among the females, it was the consistent Karlene Blagrove who came out on top, as she stopped the clock at 22:23.

Following her in second was Juliett Dinnal in 24:32, while ending third was Rosemarie Dennis in 25:14.

Yesterday's event, which had a record-breaking 16,000 participants saw some $33,100,820 being raised with the proceeds going to the Chain of Hope Jamaica, in support of the Bustamante Hospital for Children's cardiac programme.

The race, which as usual started at Pan Caribbean on Knutsford Boulevard at exactly 7:30 a.m, and culminated at Emancipation Park on Oxford Road in New Kingston, was held in celebration of Jamaica's Golden Jubilee and received strong support from Lady Allen, wife of the governor general, R Danny Williams and Olympic double sprint champion Usain Bolt.

16,000 participants

Some 141 corporate entities, 73 non-corporate groups and individuals, registered teams for a record 16,000 participants.

Following the event yesterday, race organiser Alfred 'Franno' Francis of Jamdammers Race Club and Donovan Perkins, president and CEO of PanCaribbean Financial Services, were elated about the support given.

"The support we received for the run this year has been phenomenal. This has been the biggest Sigma Corporate Run we have had so far," Perkins said.

"We are pleased with the support thus far. Whilst we are not yet at our target, the mandate is now to garner the additional funds for this essential programme spearheaded by the Chain of Hope Jamaica," Perkins added.