the buzz log

It's always good to have goals when you're running a grueling race like the New York City Marathon. For actor Edward Norton, who joined in with the other 43,000 runners on Sunday, it was to smash former Alaska governor Sarah Palin's time of four hours. Done and done. Norton ate up the 26.2 miles in 3:48:01.

Not only did the star beat Palin at her game, he came in first among all celebs in the footrace (yes, someone is keeping track of these things). That included "ER" star Anthony Edwards and singer Alanis Morissette.

And, oh yah, he raised a bundle of money for an African charity, too. Reportedly, one lucky Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust will receive $300,000, thanks to the star's efforts.

Sure, it would have been way easier to just write a check without the run. But some people just can't be stopped. Literally.

Filed under: Actors, Marathons

Though the two male marathoners and the victor of the women's race, Latvian Jelena Prokopcuka, didn't rack up any individual points in Buzz, race fans sent a horde of general queries thudding through Search. New York marathon (+358%), New York Marathon 2005 (+312%), and ING Marathon (+289%) led the surging pack.

Close on their heels, searches on "new york city marathon results," "new york city marathon route," and "new york city marathon record" came pounding home. Our logs also recorded a note familiar to anyone who has ever felt a pang of desperation in a crowd of more than two million: Searches on "new york city marathon bathrooms" saw an urgent spike.

All of this heart-pounding action inspired spectators to glance at their own cross-trainers. On the day of the race, "marathon training" sprinted off the Buzz chart, "treadmills" stepped up an extra 43%, and "running" darted upward 33%. For those of you now boldly considering a marathon, a half marathon, or a jog around the block, here are the other lengthy running endeavors currently stampeding through Search...

Filed under: Sports, Running, Marathons