Paula Radcliffe will join a host of athletic stars in a virtual 'Run for Haiti', organisers announced on Wednesday.

The run will take place on the weekend.

The women's marathon world record holder will participate in the four-mile virtual run on Saturday to benefit the victims of the Haiti earthquake.

Norwegian running legend Grete Waitz, men's marathon world record holder Haile Gebrselassie of Ethiopia, four-time New York City Marathon winner Bill Rodgers of the United States and current American stars Ryan Hall, Meb Keflezighi, Deena Kastor, Dathan Ritzenhein and Shalane Flanagan have also pledged their support for the Run for Haiti, organised by New York Road Runners.

The virtual run is conducted on the website MapMyRun.com with runners paying an entry fee of 30 US dollars that goes directly to New York City's Haiti Relief Fund. More than 8,000 people have also registered for the actual Run For Haiti, which is to be staged in New York's Central Park at the same time.

"The event is quickly becoming running's 'We are the World' effort," New York Road Runners president and chief executive Mary Wittenberg said.

"With the leaders of our sport participating virtually, we have the entire support of the running community working towards the goal of recovery."