Pan Caribbean has virtually laid its commitment to nation building through sports on the track, sponsoring this year's Reggae Marathon to the tune of $500,000.

The package includes special prizes of six desktop computers and represents a recommitment to the event, stemming from last year.

This move follows the staging of Pan Caribbean's Sigma Corporate Run, a 5K marathon held in March, which amassed more than $14 million for the Bustamante Hospital for Children and other paediatric wards across the island, thanks to matching donations from the National Health Fund and partnership with the Shaggy Make a Difference Foundation.

"It is certainly important to PanCaribbean that we do things to improve our community and our country and this initiative certainly falls within this mandate," said Philip Armstrong, acting managing director of PanCaribbeanBank.

A fun event

The Reggae Marathon & Half Marathon is Jamaica's premier international marathon event, which brings together marathoners, sports enthusiasts as well as beginners to Negril for a fun event characterised by good vibes.

Last year Holmwood Technical, Edwin Allen High and Manchester High schools won top awards for the outstanding performance of their teams in the 10K event and received computers from Pan Caribbean.

Alfred 'Frano' Francis, the race director, is pleased with the continued support from Pan Caribbean, noting that "these donations are tangible means of further developing academic and vocational skills of the students. As always, we appreciate Pan Caribbean's investment in education and sport."

Reggae Marathon will take place on Saturday, December 5, in Negril and will feature a Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K for participants of varied age groups.