Stars Run for Fun ... and Good Causes

Of the 43,741 people who ran the New York City Marathon on Sunday, a handful stood out, both for having claims to fame and for their reasons for running.

Alanis Morrissette, former ER doc Anthony Edwards, The Incredible Hulk‘s Edward Norton and Christopher Reeve’s son Matthew battled through the sweat and determination on the streets of the Big Apple, all for a good cause.

“It was such a thrill but I’m burnt,” Edwards told PEOPLE moments after crossing the finish line. “I’m totally tired! But that’s the point. I’m just so happy that I finished. But tomorrow I’m going to feel happier.”

“I would absolutely do it again,” Norton, 40, said. “I had a great time! It was really fun to do it with friends and for a good cause. We were enormously successful with our fundraising.”

Norton is lending his celebrity support to the Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust to help provide education and health services to the indigenous people in Kenya and Tanzania.

For Kids in Kenya

Edwards, 47, had much to celebrate as he and a group of friends ran the 26.2-mile route for Shoe4Africa, an organization raising funds to build the first public children’s hospital in Kenya. Finishing the race at 4 hours and 8 minutes, Edwards said he was happy with his time.

“I wanted to get somewhere near 4 and I got it. But it was a challenge,” he said. “I haven’t done a marathon in seven years. It reminded me how much it really pushes you.”

With his family and children cheering on the streets, Edwards got a dose of energy when he saw them.

“They saw me today at mile 23, so I was happy,” he said. “Seeing them gave me an extra boost in motivation, and it didn’t even bother me that my little ones wouldn’t kiss me because I was all sweaty.”

Ryan Sutter, 35, ran the marathon to raise money for another reality star: Survivor: Africa winner Ethan Zohn, who’s battling cancer. Sutter’s effort benefited Zohn’s pet charity Grassroot Soccer, which fights AIDS and HIV through education.

Matthew Reeve, the eldest son of the late Christopher Reeve, finished the marathon in four hours, 23 minutes and 36 seconds, happily Tweeting, “Over and Done With.” The 29-year-old filmmaker and NYU graduate student and 68 other “Team Reeve” runners raised more than $250,000 on behalf of the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, on what is the fifth anniversary of the Superman actor’s death.

“I am motivated to train, to run, to cross the finish line by the millions of people living with spinal cord injuries who struggle daily with considerable challenges,” Reeve said.

“My assistant Leah and I were talking about doing a marathon together, and then my twin brother literally sent me an e-mail saying within two days of me deciding I want to do one … saying do you want to do a marathon together?” she told PEOPLE on Sept. 20. “So I said yeah we’re having one of those telepathy twin moments so my twin brother is doing it with me and Leah and a bunch of friends are going to come out and support.”

Finishing the race at 3 hours and 48 minutes, Norton had very unathletic plans for after the race. How was the Oscar nominee going to celebrate his accomplishment?

“I’m going to get a piece of pizza!” he said.