Don’t be surprised if you spot Edward Norton running with three Masai warriors along the 26.2-mile stretch on Sunday during the New York City Marathon. The 40-year-old actor is taking part to raise awareness and funds for Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust, which works to preserve healthy ecosystems in East Africa.

The organization has launched a web-based fundraising effort, www.maasaimarathon.com, to bring together corporate sponsors and donors to sponsor the team of runners. Norton helped create the U.S. non-profit partner of the organization and serves as President of the organization’s Board. It will be the first marathon for Norton and his Maasai teammates, most of whom have never traveled away from their community in southern Kenya.

Norton got involved with the cause after taking a trip to Kenya to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. Inspired by the trust’s mission, which helps the Masai stay in the area and make money from tourism without destroying their land, Norton decided to lend a hand in raising money for the group. “I got involved with the Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust about 8 years ago and I really believe in the work they do,” notes Norton.

Working with the locals is a big part of charity, which is why Norton invited three Masai warriors he met in Africa to race with him. The team recently ran in Central Park, and the warriors donned their traditional colorful clothes, necklaces and bracelets. Don’t expect them to switch to shorts or sweats on the big day. “They’re very comfortable in those,” Norton says. “That’s what they walk and run in at home. That’s just sort of their normal day-to-day wear, and they’re really comfortable in it.

“The only thing they’re still debating a little bit is whether to switch from their sandals to running shoes,” he adds. “They like their sandals and that’s what they run in at home, but they had never run on pavement before, and so they’re debating maybe wearing Pumas.”

Norton won’t be the only celebrity barreling through the boroughs. He’s recruited Alanis Morissette and David Blaine to run for the Masai trust, though Blaine might be out since he hurt his heel while training.

Former “ER” star Anthony Edwards will join Tony-winning actress Sarah Jones and “Mercy” star James LeGros in running for the Shoe4Africa charity, which raises money for a planned children’s hospital in the northwest.

And Christopher Reeve’s son Matthew is running on behalf of the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation to raise money for spinal-cord-injury research

The marathon is the premier annual event of the New York Road Runners, which will have 6,800 runners representing more than 80 charities with a combined fundraising goal of $21 million. The 40th running of the marathon is expected to draw more than 40,000 runners.