A record $175,000 in donated funds were raised on Saturday through a charity run organised by the National University of Singapore's Business School.

It is the third year that the Business School has held this annual charity run, and today's event - flagged off by Minister of State for Trade and Industry Teo Ser Luck - not only raised more than twice the funds collected in last year's edition, it also set a new high in participants, with 1000 runners across three categories.

These mostly comprised of alumni, students, staff, faculty members, as well as their families and friends. Also among the crowd was former presidential candidate Dr Tan Cheng Bock, who showed up as a donor and participant of the 5-kilometre Fun Run with his wife.

Of the funds raised, S$125,000 will go to five student bursaries, while S$50,000 will be donated to the Assumption Pathway School, Society for the Physically Disabled, and The New Charis Mission.

Mr Teo, who had originally been slated to take part in the 10km competitive run but pulled out at the last minute because of by-election duties, said such school-driven charity events should be encouraged.

"Sports is one way to bring everyone together, and a run is very simple, it's got the highest participation rate," he said. "You get more people involved, more awareness, and we should encourage more of that."