The Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon 2005 got a tremendous boost with the confirmation that Sachin Tendulkar and his wife Anjali would take part in the 'Dream Run'.
This was confirmed by Anjali's mother Annabelle Mehta, promoters Procam International said at Mumbai on Wednesday.
- Complete coverage: Mumbai Marathon 2004
Tendulkar and Anjali would be running for the charity 'Apnalaya', they said.
Meanwhile, Mumbai's prominent citizens, led by Governor Mohammad Fazal, pledged their support to the event by making personal contributions to 'Give Online', the charity partner for the Marathon.
While cheques of Rs 10,000 each were given to 'Give Online', Anabelle Mehta said Tendulkar and Anjali have pledged to raise another Rs 90,000 each towards charity. She said she would also get cricketers Vinod Kambli and Ajit Agarkar to run in the marathon and raise funds.
Also present at the function was actress Tara Sharma, who made a personal contribution of Rs 10,000 and pledged to donate Rs 90,000 more. She received an immediate response from the Governor, who made a personal contribution of Rs 7,000, besides Rs 11,000 from the Governor's fund.
Fazal complimented promoters Procam International for organising an event that has put India into limelight time and again and also praised 'Give Online' for using the platform to raise money for charity.
While more than a crore was raised through the last marathon, 'Give Online' are aiming to reach five times that amount this time around.
"Events like the marathon are not only about sports but about nation building. It is events like these which help in building a strong nation," Fazal added.
Top people including Anand Mahindra, Niranjan Hiranandani, Mukesh Ambani, Nita Ambani and Tina Ambani have already confirmed their participation.
