What does the Mumbai Marathon mean to the Mumbai film industry? Subhash K Jha finds out.

Malaika Arora: "I'm not running. But I love the spirit behind it."

Shabana Azmi: "I'm participating for the first time. I'm also flagging off the Harmony Silvers run for Tina Ambani.I'm doing it for the Rahul Bose Foundation. It's for Tsunami-affected kids who are taught at Rishi Valley.

Shekhar Kapoor: "Sorry I'm in Las Vegas for the opening of the newest and biggest casino. I'll have to skip the Marathon."

Prashant Raj: "Yes I'm taking part in the Marathon. I love it because it's the one time when the entire city comes together and comes alive.

Aseem Merchant: "I wish I was in town. The Marathon is a great way of endorsing a healthy life. Celebs giving their sweat for a cause is better than money. It's important for us to set a good example.

Irrfan Khan: "For me it's like a festival created in two days' time. This calls for a celebration. I'm not in town."

Rohit Roy: "I've participated in the Marathon every year since its inception. Unfortunately this would be the first year when I'll have to give it the skip because of prior commitments. Definitely my loss.

For me the Mumbai Marathon embodies the very spirit of Mumbai. The zest energy and the amalgamation of people from all walks for the run is simply unbelievable!

It's almost like the whole city is running for the same reason in spite of representaing different charitable causes. I'm going to miss the Marathon this year. But I promise I'll be back next year.Till then, happy running Mumbai!

Urmila Matondkar: "For practical reasons, I can't participate in the Mumbai Marathon. But I'd love to. I didn't get time to prepare for it. But I support it wholeheartedly. It means standing up for a cause that's close to your heart. It's like doing your bit to keep the energy and integrity of Mumbai intact.

Rahul Khanna: 'Sadly I'm out of town. But I think the Marathon is a fantastic way of bringing people from all walks of life together and I also think it's a great way raising awareness about the NGOs who are doing such great work.

Had I been in town I'd have run for any NGO that works towards the education of underprivileged children or for any animal rights group.

Rakshanda Khan: "Yes I'm participating in the Marathon for an NGO called Shraddha. For me the Marathon is a clear indication that the heart and soul of Mumbai is still on the right track. Although people think Mumbaikars have no time to spare for others the swelling number of participants at the Marathon every year proves them wrong.

Sammir Dattani: "I've run for the Marathon for the last two years. I hoped for a hat trick this year. But I'm shooting in Bangalore and can't get away. But I'll take a long token jog on Sunday morning to feel part of the Marathon.Will miss Mumbai on Sunday."

Sophie Chowdhary: "I've taken part in the Marathon three times on earlier occasions. I'm most fascinated by it. The spirit of Mumbai is never on display more prominently. This time due to a knee injury I don't think I'll be able to take part. But I'm there in spirit."

Shriya Saran: "I'd love to run for the Marathon. To me it means the city coming together to share a dream of one-ness. It's a symbol of unity and collective harmony for the Mumbaikars.

Neil Mathur: "The Marathon is like a wake-up call. It's done with the heart in the right place. And that's the spirit in which I want to be part of it. Someday I hope to participate in it."

Nikhil Dwivedi: "Unfortunately I'm not in Mumbai. The Marathon is particularly symbolic since no other city denotes the feeling being a city constantly on the run.. It think it's a terrific community activity.

Aryan Vaid: "Unfortunately I'm not participating this year. But I think the Marathon is a great way of creating awareness for various charitable causes because of the hype it generates. Personallyfor me being part of it generates a tremendous sense of accomplishment.

Anuj Sawhney: "I've my Marathon teeshirt ready and I hope to be there on Sunday morning. But I've an early shooting on Monday morning. I don't think I'll skip the Marathon. It's too important.

For a Delhi boy like me the Marathon represents the spirit of Mumbai. The city is truly cosmopolitan. It welcomes people from all over the country. I've never felt like an outsider.

Mimoh Chakraborty: "I'd love to participate. It tests us to see how far we can go. How much we can push ourselves. And what we are truly made of.

Ruslaan Mumtaz: "To me the Marathon is all about unity. It's about the coming together of every person who's a part of Mumbai. Yes I'll participate this year. I'll be running with all my fellow-dancers from Shiamak Davar's school. For me the Marathon is also a reunion party.

Mona Singh: "Due to a bad knee I'm opting out.I'd have loved to participate. It means a lot to me because all Mumbaikars irrespective of age caste and religion come together to run for a cause.

Samir Soni: "I can't run because I've had knee surgery and have been advised not to. As an event it does get tremendous media attention.I'm not sure of how much it helps the social causes it supports.

That only the various organizations can answer. But great for the enthusiasts and for the spirit of the city.A good platform to break a few barriers and bring people closer."

Pritam Chakraborty: "Can't run due to health reasons. To me the Marathon is an amalgamation of individual will, and a collective realization of a wider cause."

Neetu Chandra: "I can't run for the Marathon due to my hectic schedule. But I'd have loved to because it's a revolutionary gesture of collective wellbeing.

Ravi Kissan: "I'd love to be there.But I'm in Jammu right now. Mumbai is a city that welcomes outsiders like us with open arms. The Marathon represents that spirit of togetherness."

Vipul Shah: "I'd love to run for the Marathon. But I was shooting in Punjab and got no time to prepare. I wouldn't like to be out of breath during such a devastating display of harmony."