NEW YORK - Hip-hop music and fashion entrepreneur Sean "P. Diddy" Combs today completed the New York marathon, despite suffering leg cramps for about half the distance, as part of an effort to raise millions of dollars for needy city children.

Combs, who performs as "P. Diddy" after becoming one of hip-hop's most successful stars as "Puff Daddy," ran the 26.2 mile course in the official time of four hours, 14 minutes and 54 seconds.

"I've never experienced mental or physical pain like that," Combs told reporters after becoming the 11,359th to cross the Central park finish line out of 35,100 entrants.

"But it was a beautiful experience."

Combs said he raised $2 million for New York's public schools, children suffering from HIV and AIDS and his own charity to foster social programs.

The rap impresario, who had undercover police officers assigned as bodyguards, was shown on the live NBC-TV broadcast grimacing in agony from cramps and fending off admirers.

"I was in real trouble and I wanted to stop. It was a life changing experience because I did not stop," said Combs, who ran the marathon, his first, under his proper name.