Interest in jogging and running is growing nationwide, but when the Tokyo Marathon is held Sunday, the number of charity runners will be woefully small.

This is the first year the Tokyo race has been open to charity runners, in an attempt to generate some philanthropic interest in Japan similar to that seen in marathons in other big cities around the world.

The quota was set for 1,000 runners willing to donate at least ¥100,000 per person, separate from the 35,000 regular contestants.