MUMBAI: Zee TV which has bagged the five year telecast rights to Mumbai Marathon has conceptualised a reality-themed capsule series which it will interweave with this year's event.

The reality series will be done on some of the participants from various sections of the society. The list includes Manoj B Khaire, a handicapped sportsman, National Association of the Blind director Ketan Kothari, Payal Nayyar, a voice over artist, Harish Chavun, a ward boy of Tata Memorial Hospital and Anita Rane, a teacher.

Also joining the race are Zee stars including Mihir Mishra and Kushal Punjabi (Kabhie Haan Kabhie Naa), Asish Nair (Tumhari Disha), Imran Khan and Akshay Anand (Chi and Me). Other stars like Kulraj Randhawa (Kareena Karena), Chavi Mittal (Tumhari Disha), and Nupur (Reth) will be seen at the event cheering for the cause.

"The spirit of The Mumbai Marathon has captured the minds of the public across the nation. Zee TV has always set the ball rolling for others to follow - be it with family soaps (Tara and Banegi Apni Baat) or with talent hunts (India's Best Cinestar ki Khoj). Zee TV, which is synonymous with mass entertainment, the telecast is yet another feather in our cap," says Zee TV business head Abhijit Saxena.

Zee TV will telecast the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon 2005 live on 16 January from 7:30 am onwards.