The 36th edition of the Beijing Marathon also comes with added philanthropic importance, as the more than 30,000 participants are not only running 42 kilometers through the Chinese capital, but also raising money for a number of charities.

The 30,000 runners in the Beijing Marathon are divided into groups representing 15 public welfare organizations, in a new charitable endeavor. Based on the participants average times, the philanthropies earn slices of a one million yuan overall donation pie.

Beijing Marathon organizers says the charities involved in this undertaking include the China Population Welfare Foundation and China Charities Aid Foundation For Children, adding that philanthropy is now a key component of the event's long-term strategic plan, part of which aims to turn this annual trek through the capital, into the country's most socially-significant long distance race.