This year’s Marathon Derby donations are running into the thousands, but organisers want more entrants to pull on their running shoes.

Runners in the May 24 race have so far raised $5,000 for charity through an extra $10 on their entry fees. Sixty percent of this will go to Focus Counselling Services and 40 percent to Kandice Young, a two-year-old girl with a heart condition.

This year’s race is the first one to raise money for specific charities and organisers are aiming to attract up to 650 runners. So far more than 500 have signed up. Marathon Derby president Dr. Gina Tucker said: “Last year we had about 600 so we’re hoping we’ll get at least another 100 to come out and participate in this run. “We don’t know how many people will come out to do a late entry but we need more. We want to encourage people to come out and run.”

The 13.2-mile race, now in its 97th year, will be run on Bermuda Day from Somerset to Bernard Park. From the entry fees so far, $3,000 has been raised for official race charity Focus Counselling Services. The centre was founded in 1993 and provides treatment and rehabilitation for drug addicts and those with alcohol and gambling problems.

Kandice Young — this year’s President’s Pick — will receive $2,000 towards her medical expenses. Kandice suffers from Heterotaxy Syndrome, a congenital heart disease, and also has Pulmonary Vein Stenosis, which causes her veins to close, cutting off the blood and oxygen supply to her lungs.

The two-year-old has undergone three operations in her young life and faces constant medical tests at Boston’s Children’s Hospital. This year’s Marathon Derby committee has planned a Victory Celebration party on May 25 with huge cash prizes as an added incentive for those taking part.

Runners can enter a draw to win one of two $5,000 prizes donated by Island Construction. The two winners will then donate $1,500 from their prize towards a charity of their choice.

The celebration will be held in Union Street between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. Only those present will be eligible for the draw. Runners can initially enter when they pick up their race numbers this Thursday and Friday between 5.30p.m. and 7.30 p.m. at Devonshire Rec.