Celebrities Running the New York City Marathon

Out of the more than 40,000 runners who will take part in the ING New York City Marathon on November 7, there are people of all ages and sizes -- and as always -- there are celebrities. Many actors, superstar chefs and reality show personalities will be vying to cross that finish line in Central Park and raise big bucks for charities.

Headlining the event is NBC "Today" show's Al Roker. "I'm just someone who is getting one foot in front of the other and trying to cross the finish line," Roker told That's Fit. America's favorite weatherman and native New Yorker is running his first marathon in his hometown. He is raising money for Calvary Hospital.

New York City restaurateur and chef Mario Batali and winery owner Joe Bastianich will be running the 26.2 miles through the five boroughs on Sunday. Bastianich as been a marathon runner since 2008.

Radio personality and Howard Stern's right hand, Robin Quivers is running for 15 Foundation, a charity she co-founded. Her contributions are earmarked for encouraging young people to discover good nutrition.

Jared Fogle, best known for dropping pounds by eating at Subway, is raising cash for his own Jared Foundation, which fights childhood obesity.

Two reality TV stars are also battling it out for a good cause. Ethan Zohn, contestant on "Survivor: Africa" is racing Ryan Sutter, and the winner gets money for his charity of choice from the loser. Zohn, who is also a Hodgkin's lymphoma survivor, is raising money for Grassroots Soccer. He told the New York Daily News that visualizing crossing the finish line was what kept him going through a stem cell transplant last year. After months of treatments, his doctors gave him the green light to run the race.

Ryan Sutter, from "The Bachelorette," is pushing to the finish line to raise funds for First Descents, an organization that offers free outdoor adventure programs for young people with cancer.

Bryan Bedder, Getty Images

Justin Gimelstob, a New Jersey native, former pro tennis player and nonrunner, has $10,000 on the line against his good friend Andy Roddick. He must finish in four hours, 45 minutes, or else he'll write a check to The Andy Roddick Foundation for education. If he finishes the race in time, Roddick will hand over the $10,000 for the Justin Gimelstob Children's Fund for children with cancer and blood diseases, which is linked to the Valerie Fund.

Food Channel superstar and restaurateur Bobby Flay is no stranger to lacing up his running shoes. The ING New York City Marathon will be his second marathon this year.

Several athletes are also in the race, including former New York Giant Amani Toomer, the first former NFL player in 17 years to sign up for the New York Marathon. His twist? Toomer is officially going to be the last one to start the race, and Timex has announced it will donate $1 to the New York Road Runners youth service program for every person he passes along the way.

Ironman triathlete, U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander, and "The Bachelor" contestant Dr. Andy Baldwin is raising money for ING Run for Something Better, which funds free school-based running programs that encourage children to get active, set goals and start lifelong fitness habits.

Former model Veronica Webb is running her second marathon, raising money for Harlem United, an organization that provides access to quality health care, HIV prevention and supportive housing to Harlem's residents.

Running his second consecutive ING New York City Marathon, actor Anthony Edwards will be running for his charity of choice: Shoe4Africa.


All told, some 192 charities have celebrity and non-celebrity runners representing them at the marathon this year. The New York Road Runners and ING have announced a goal of raising $1 million per mile of the race for the charities combined.

More on That's Fit:
Chilean Miner to Run NYC Marathon
Al Roker Nervous About His First Marathon
Andy Roddick's $10K Marathon Bet