Ed Norton to run NYC Marathon for a cause

October 29, 5:28 PMPhoenix Running ExaminerEric Rutin

Previous Next

Comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Phoenix Running Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

    Norton and his new Fight Club  Photo Source: Lou Rouse

Actor Ed Norton is lacing up the shoes and taking on a challenge tougher than a late night brawl with Brad Pitt this Sunday, November 1st when he runs the ING New York City Marathon.  This will be his first marathon.

40 year old Norton a longtime conservation activist will run with three Maasai warriors in the 40th running of the NYC Marathon in an effort to raise awareness for the Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust, which works to preserve their native homes and healthy ecosystems in East Africa.  Norton became involved with the Maasai effort when he visited Kenya ten years ago to climb Mount Kilimanjaro.

Norton and his three companions are sure to be noticed as they make their way around the 26.2 mile race not because of his celebrity, but the three warriors will be wearing their traditional garb and jewelry instead of cool max Nike clothing.  They are still debating the footwear between modern running shoes in place of their usual sandals as this will be their first attempt running on asphalt having never traveled out of their native Kenya.

Follow Norton and his marathon adventures on his brand new Twitter account set up to provide updates and news about his training and fund raising for the Maasai Wilderness Conservation. (Sample tweet: “All 3 Maasai amazed when two older Jewish ladies said “Excuse us, are you Maasai?…Welcome to NY City!” Only in NY, man. Unreal.”). Norton is trying to best Ashton Kutcher's $2 million Twitter fund raising for mosquito nets.

Norton has recruited fellow celebs, Alanis Morissette and David Blaine to help join the Maasai casuse with 30 other runners.  Unlike previous celebs that ran for personal gratification like Katie Holmes and P Diddy,  Morissette is commited to using her running to benefit others.  This will Moriessettes second marathon in a month having recently completed the Bizz Johnson Marathon on October 11th where she raised funds for the National Eating Disorder Association.  Blaine is tentative due to a calf injury.

For More Information:  ING NYC Marathon/Maasai Culture/