Mumbai: Former India hockey captain Dhanraj Pillay is among the thousands of people who are taking part in the sixth Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon on January 18.

"This is the fifth time I am taking part in the Mumbai Marathon. I am running the 7-km event for charity towards the Swayam Siddh school for mentally challenged children in Aurangabad," the four-time Olympian said here today.

Pillay, one among 10,000 people running for charity, is happy that the event brings to the streets the common person in Mumbai and makes him run.

"Any event which makes common people run is close to my heart as it keeps them fit," said the one-time mercurial forward who has started an academy for hockey.

The 250,000 USD prize money event will see 150 Elite foreign athletes, including 52 women, taking part in the full marathon that has attracted 2500 entrants.

There is a strong contingent from Kenya with two-time defending champion John Kelei heading the list in the men s section.

The winner of the mens and womens full marathon would be richer by USD 31,500 while the second-placed runner would pick up USD 20500. The tenth finisher would take home USD 3000.

The top Indian finisher in both men and women would be richer by USD 2500 and prizes have been earmarked for the top five home country participants.

The mens and womens half marathons, which are to start 50 minutes before the full marathon, have attracted 10,000 athletes which include 280 from abroad.

The prize money for half marathoners range from 1150 USD (winners) to USd 400 (fifth-placers).

Besides, there are prize monies for veteran runners in various categories.