Los Angeles Marathon
DateFebruary/March
LocationLos Angeles, California, U.S.
Event typeRoad
DistanceMarathon, 26.2 mi (42.2 km)
Established1986 (1986)
(current era)
Course recordsMen: 2:06:35
Markos Geneti (2011)
Women: 2:25:10
Lidiya Grigoryeva (2006)
Official sitelamarathon.com
Traversing Olympic Blvd. in 2009

The Los Angeles Marathon (formerly known as the City of Los Angeles Marathon) is an annual running event typically held each spring in Los Angeles, California, since 1986. The marathon was inspired by the success of the 1984 Summer Olympic Games hosted in Los Angeles, and has become one of the largest marathons in the country, with more than 25,000 participants, thousands of volunteers, and hundreds of thousands of spectators.

Since 2020, the event has been sponsored by Asics and is officially titled the Los Angeles Marathon presented by ASICS.

History

Benjamin Limo at the start of the marathon in 2009

Municipal Games era

In 1970, a race of length 25 miles (40 km) was held in Los Angeles.[1]

In 1971, the race was lengthened to the distance of a standard marathon, and known as the "Griffith Park Marathon".[1] It was held at the same time as the Municipal Games.[1]

The 1972 race was known as the "Municipal Games Marathon", while races from 1973 to 1977 were known as the "Los Angeles Marathon",[lower-alpha 1] and the 1978 edition was known as the "Los Angeles Police Marathon".[1][4]

The Association of Road Racing Statisticians (ARRS) has no record of any races in this series after 1978.[1]

Los Angeles Lite era

The inaugural race in 1981, known as the "Jordache Los Angeles Pro-Am Marathon", was run with two sections, a professional section with 100,000 USD in prize money, and an amateur section.[1][5]

Both the 1982 and 1983 races were known as the "Los Angeles Lite Marathon".[1]

In 1983, runners were misdirected, but the course was changed to ensure that finishers ran at least a marathon.[1][6][lower-alpha 2]

ARRS has no record of any races in this series after 1983.[1]

Current era

The inaugural marathon of the current series was first held in 1986.[1]

In 1997, Nadezhda Ilyina crossed the finish line first, but was disqualified for cutting the course through a service station.[1][7][lower-alpha 3] The victory went to Ilyina's friend and first-time marathoner Lornah Kiplagat.[1][7]

Since 2008, the operating rights to the Los Angeles Marathon are the property of former Los Angeles Dodgers owner, Frank McCourt.[10]

The race date for 2009 was moved to Memorial Day, May 25, because the city council wished "to limit the impact on Sunday morning church services".[11] After runner criticism due to the increased probability of warmer weather, the race date was moved back to March for the 2010 race.[11]

The 2016 edition was held on February 14 to coincide with the U.S. Olympic Trials for the marathon held in Los Angeles the day before.[11]

The 34th edition of the marathon took place on March 24, 2019.[12]

Despite Los Angeles County having issued a state of emergency four days prior due to the coronavirus pandemic and criticism from other public officials including councilman Mike Bonin,[13] mayor Eric Garcetti allowed the 2020 marathon to continue as scheduled on March 8, 2020.[14]

The 2021 edition of the race was postponed to November 7 due to the coronavirus, pandemic, with all registrants given the option of running the race virtually or transferring their entry to 2022, 2023, or 2024.[15][11]

Course

External image
image icon Course map of full marathon in 2020[16]
Romanian Nuța Olaru in 2009

The original route in 1986 started at Exposition Park and ended at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

The route around the turn of the millennium both started and ended in Downtown Los Angeles.

From 2007 to 2008, it started south of Universal City and ended in Downtown Los Angeles.[lower-alpha 4]

The iconic "Stadium to Sea" route started at Dodger Stadium[lower-alpha 5] and ended in Santa Monica.

The course was changed in the middle of 2020 to end at Avenue of the Stars in Century City due to "dramatically increased costs quoted by the city of Santa Monica" to continue hosting the finish there.[11]

Community impact

In 2014, the Los Angeles Marathon charity program continued its tremendous growth as 91 participating charities combined to raise a cumulative total $3.7 million.

Students Run LA

In 1987, six students at East Los AngelesBoyle Heights High School enrolled in a marathon training program offered by teacher Harry Shabazian. On March 4, 1990, two dozen teachers from around the city joined the three co-founders, with students from their respective schools, and together, they all ran in the Los Angeles Marathon V. In 1993, Students Run LA spun off from LAUSD and became an independent 501(c)(3) organization.[18] SRLA continues to provide its after-school mentoring and training program to all students for free. Today, more than 3,200 middle and high school students, from 185 school and community programs, train alongside 550 volunteer leaders.[18]

Inspired by the success of SRLA, a pilot project was begun with the Montreal Marathon and Students on the run (Étudiants dans la course) was created with the first objective to complete the September 2010 Montreal Marathon. There were 19 students to begin with and 12 completed the 2010 event. The program continues with a new group and a new objective, complete the 2011 event.[19]

Legacy Runners

Each year, the marathon honors Legacy Runners, runners who have finished every Los Angeles Marathon since its inception in 1986. Each Legacy Runner receives a special bib with a permanent bib number.

As of 2020, there were 114 Legacy Runners.[20]

Television coverage

From 1986 to 2001 KCOP-TV televised the Los Angeles Marathon, in 2002, KCAL-TV, from 2003 to 2007, KNBC and from 2008 to present, KTLA.

Since 2017, the event has been carried nationally on WGN America except in Los Angeles.

Top finishers

Winners Weldon Kirui and Nataliya Lehonkova with Mayor Garcetti, 2016
Simon Njoroge winning in 2012
Fatuma Sado winning in 2012

Ages of top finishers in the Masters category are given in parentheses.

Key:   Course record

Year
Category Men Women
2023 Results March 19, 2023[21]
Open Ethiopia Jemal Yimer 2:13:15 Kenya Stacy Ndiwa 2:31:02
Wheelchair Colombia Francisco Sanclemente 1:43:55 United States Hannah Babalola 2:50:35
2022 Results March 20, 2022[22]
Open Kenya John Korir 2:09:08 Kenya Delvine Meringor 2:25:04
Wheelchair United States Tyler Byers 1:49:17 United States Corey Petersen 3:23:32
2021 Results November 7, 2021[23]
Open Kenya John Korir 2:12:48 United Kingdom Natasha Cockram 2:33:17
Wheelchair United States Cesar Gonzalez 2:08:26 United States Mary Thompson 4:25:01
2020 Results March 8, 2020[24][25]
OpenEthiopia Bayelign Teshager2:08:26Kenya Margaret Muriuki2:29:27
MastersUnited States Carlos Lopez (42)2:37:49United States Madeleine Sargent (42)2:48:17
WheelchairSpain Rafael Botello Jimenez1:44:37Brazil Vanessa Christina de Souza1:59:55
2019 Results March 24, 2019[26]
OpenKenya Elisha Barno2:11:45Ethiopia Askale Marachi2:24:11
MastersUnited States Jesse Williams (41)2:36:54United States Ingrid Walters (47)2:48:03
WheelchairCanada Joshua Cassidy[26]1:31:48United States Katrina Gerhard[26]1:56:23
2018 Results March 18, 2018[27]
OpenKenya Weldon Kirui2:11:47Ethiopia Sule Gedo2:33:50
MastersUnited States Carlos Larios (45)2:34:18United States Ingrid Walters (46)2:55:28
WheelchairUnited States Krige Schabort[27]1:35:40United States Michelle Wheeler[27]2:16:36
2017 Results March 19, 2017[28]
OpenKenya Elisha Barno2:11:53Kenya Hellen Jepkurgat2:34:24
MastersUnited States Peter Lawrence (45)2:38:05United States Gina Johnson (43)3:10:27
WheelchairUnited States Tom Davis1:06:52United States Jenna Rollman1:43:14
2016 Results February 14, 2016
OpenKenya Weldon Kirui2:13:06Ukraine Nataliya Lehonkova2:30:40
MastersUnited States Brett Bernacchi (43)2:40:07United States Rebecca Trachsel (41)3:05:29
WheelchairUnited States Owen Daniels1:21:27United States Jenna Rollman1:53:44
2015 Results March 15, 2015
OpenKenya Daniel Limo2:10:36Kenya Ogla Kimaiyo2:34:10
MastersUnited States Oswaldo Hurtado (41)2:34:03United States Victoria Russell (43)2:50:03
WheelchairUnited States Scott Parson1:37:12United States Shirley Reilly2:00:27
2014 Results March 9, 2014
OpenEthiopia Gebo Burka2:10:37Ethiopia Amane Gobena2:27:37
MastersUnited States Ricardo Ramirez (41)2:38:20United States Dolores Valencia (49)2:57:58
WheelchairUnited States Joshua George1:33:11United States Susannah Scaroni1:54:54 [29]
2013 Results March 17, 2013
OpenKenya Erick Mose2:09:43Belarus Aleksandra Duliba2:25:39 [30]
MastersFrance Abderrahmane Djemadi (42)2:37:07United States Deena Kastor (40)2:32:39
WheelchairUnited States Krige Schabort1:30:50United States Susannah Scaroni1:54:39
2012 Results March 18, 2012
OpenKenya Simon Njoroge2:12:12Ethiopia Fatuma Sado2:25:39 [31]
MastersUnited States Nicholas Bowden (40)2:38:26Ukraine Tetyana Mezentseva (40)2:31:20
WheelchairUnited States Krige Schabort1:39:53United States Shirley Reilly1:57:09
2011 Results March 20, 2011
OpenEthiopia Markos Geneti2:06:35Ethiopia Buzunesh Deba2:26:34
MastersMexico Juan Jose Ortiz Jauregui (44)2:44:10Russia Svetlana Ponomarenko (41)2:38:56
WheelchairSouth Africa Krige Schabort1:33:15United States Shirley Reilly1:57:25
2010 Results March 21, 2010
OpenKenya Wesley Korir2:09:19Kenya Edna Kiplagat2:25:38
MastersUnited States Juan Ramirez (41)2:39:35United States Linda Somers-Smith (48)2:36:33
WheelchairSouth Africa Krige Schabort1:31:51United States Amanda McGrory1:53:12
2009 Results May 25, 2009
OpenKenya Wesley Korir2:08:24Russia Tatyana Petrova2:25:59
MastersUnited States Martin Rindahl (45)2:43:17United States Carista Strickland (47)3:14:45
WheelchairMexico Aaron Gordian1:31:19United States Amanda McGrory1:48:13
2008 Results March 2, 2008
OpenKenya Laban Moiben2:13:50Russia Tatyana Aryasova2:29:09
MastersGuatemala Fermin Sequen (40)2:34:34Russia Tatiana Titova (42)2:51:32
WheelchairUnited States Saul Mendoza1:31:12United States Cheri Blauwet1:53:35
2007 Results March 4, 2007
OpenKenya Fred Mogaka2:17:14Russia Ramilya Burangulova2:37:54
MastersJapan Yoshihisa Hosaka (58)2:49:06Russia Ramilya Burangulova (45)2:37:54
WheelchairAustralia Kurt Fearnley1:23:40United Kingdom Shelly Woods1:50:55
2006 Results March 19, 2006
OpenKenya Benson Cherono2:08:40Russia Lidiya Grigoryeva2:25:10
MastersUnited States Jose Ortiz Pina (43)2:33:23Ukraine Lyudmyla Pushkina (40)2:41:15
WheelchairSouth Africa Ernst Van Dyk1:24:48United States Shirley Reilly1:55:23
2005 Results March 6, 2005
OpenKenya Mark Saina2:09:35Russia Lyubov Denisova2:26:11
MastersEzequiel Hernandez (41)2:45:01Ukraine Tatyana Pozdnyakova (50)2:31:05
WheelchairAustralia Kurt Fearnley1:30:11United States Cheri Blauwet1:51:45
2004 Results March 7, 2004
OpenKenya David Kiptoo Kirui2:13:41Ukraine Tatyana Pozdnyakova2:30:17
MastersMexico Reynaldo Ramirez (40)2:35:38Ukraine Tatyana Pozdnyakova (49)2:30:17
WheelchairFrance Joel Jeannot1:27:08United States Cheri Blauwet1:54:02
2003 Results March 2, 2003
OpenKenya Mark Yatich2:09:52Ukraine Tatyana Pozdnyakova2:29:40
MastersUnited States Robert Leonardo (40)2:40:46Ukraine Tatyana Pozdnyakova (48)2:29:40
WheelchairMexico Saúl Mendoza1:27:07United States Cheri Blauwet1:50:06
2002 Results March 3, 2002
OpenKenya Steven Ndungu2:10:27Russia Lyubov Denisova2:28:49
MastersUnited States Jose Díaz (46)2:41:07Ukraine Tatyana Pozdnyakova (47)2:30:26
WheelchairSouth Africa Ernst Van Dyk1:28:44Mexico Ariadne Hernandez1:55:01
2001 Results March 4, 2001
OpenKenya Steven Ndungu2:13:13Russia Elana Paramonova2:35:58
MastersUnited States Raymond Baradas (41)2:38:43United States Teresa Boches-Saban (44)3:05:20
WheelchairMexico Saúl Mendoza1:32:50Mexico Ariadne Hernandez2:04:30
2000 Results March 5, 2000
OpenKenya Benson Mutiisya Mbithi2:11:55Estonia Jane Salumäe2:33:33
MastersUnited States Marco Ortíz (50)2:27:33United States Judy Maguire (41)2:58:21
WheelchairMexico Saúl Mendoza1:42:33United States Jean Driscoll2:12:17
1999 Results March 14, 1999
OpenKenya Simon Bor2:09:25Kyrgyzstan Irina Bogachova2:30:32
MastersGuatemala Federico Yax2:32:19United States Judy Maguire2:54:12
WheelchairMexico Saúl Mendoza1:28:43United States Deanna Sodoma2:03:44
1998 Results March 29, 1998
OpenTanzania Zebedayo Bayo2:11:21Kenya Lornah Kiplagat2:33:58
MastersSwitzerland Peter Rischl2:31:53United States Candy Clark3:08:56
WheelchairMexico Saúl Mendoza1:29:57Japan Kazu Hatanaka1:56:55
1997 Results March 2, 1997
OpenMorocco El-Maati Chaham2:14:16Kenya Lornah Kiplagat2:33:50
MastersUnited States Yoshio Ishizuka2:36:14United States Philomena Chandra3:03:10
WheelchairMexico Saúl Mendoza1:37:27Australia Louise Sauvage1:49:22
1996 Results March 3, 1996
OpenCosta Rica Jose Luis Molina2:13:23Ukraine Lyubov Klochko2:30:30
MastersGuatemala Hugo Juárez2:33:26United States Lorraine Gersitz3:11:50
WheelchairSwitzerland Heinz Frei1:27:10United States Jean Driscoll1:46:09
1995 Results March 5, 1995
OpenEcuador Rolando Vera2:11:39France[note 1] Nadia Prasad2:29:48
MastersUnited States John Bednarksi2:36:40United States Alfreda Iglehart3:13:29
WheelchairAustralia Paul Wiggins1:36:06United States Jean Driscoll1:52:51
1994 Results March 6, 1994
OpenUnited States Paul Pilkington2:12:13United States Olga Appell2:28:12
MastersUnited States Gregg Horner2:34:20Italy Emma Scaunich2:37:05
WheelchairFrance Phillipe Couprie and Australia Paul Wiggins[32]1:34:52Denmark Connie Hansen1:48:58
1993 Results March 7, 1993
OpenBrazil Joselido Rocha2:14:28Ukraine Lyubov Klochko2:39:48
MastersUnited States Dennis Bock2:36:32United States Candy Dodge3:03:10
WheelchairUnited States Jan Mattern1:32:15Denmark Connie Hansen1:51:26
1992 Results March 1, 1992
OpenRepublic of Ireland John Treacy2:12:29 Madina Biktagirova2:26:23
MastersMexico Manuel García Pérez2:25:35United States Sandra Marshall3:02:47
WheelchairUnited States Jim Knaub1:40:53Denmark Connie Hansen1:56:17
1991 Results March 3, 1991
OpenUnited States Mark Plaatjes2:10:29United States Cathy O'Brien2:29:38
MastersNew Zealand John Campbell (42)2:14:33United Kingdom Priscilla Webb2:40:20
WheelchairUnited States Jim Knaub1:40:43Denmark Connie Hansen1:57:11
1990 Results March 4, 1990
OpenColombia Pedro Ortíz2:11:54United States Julie Isphording2:32:25
MastersNew Zealand John Campbell (41)2:20:15Italy Graziela Striuli3:26:48
WheelchairFrance Moustapha Badid1:45:40United States Ann Cody-Morris2:03:49
1989 Results March 5, 1989
OpenCanada Art Boileau2:13:01Soviet Union Zoya Ivanova2:34:42
MastersNew Zealand John Campbell (40)2:17:51United States Carol Mather3:02:57
WheelchairUnited States Jim Knaub1:46:52United States Candace Cable-Brookes2:07:03
1988 Results March 6, 1988
OpenMexico Martín Mondragón2:10:19Mexico Blanca Jaime2:36:11
MastersUnited States Bob Schlau (40)[33]2:19:27United States Harolene Walters (47)2:54:18
WheelchairUnited States Bob Molinatti1:56:35United States Candace Cable-Brookes2:19:38
1987 Results March 1, 1987
OpenCanada Art Boileau2:13:08United States Nancy Ditz2:35:24
MastersColombia Victor Mora García2:19:44United States Barbara Fituze2:47:21
WheelchairCanada Ted Vance1:54:06United States Candace Cable-Brookes2:05:45
1986 Results March 9, 1986
OpenUnited States Ric Sayre2:12:59United States Nancy Ditz2:36:27
MastersSweden Kjell-Erik Ståhl (40)2:19:20United States Harolene Walters (45)[34]2:57:26
WheelchairUnited States Bob Molinatti2:16:36United States Candace Cable-Brookes2:23:10
  1. From New Caledonia, a territory of France

Notes

  1. The race was also known as the "City of Los Angeles Marathon" in 1973 and 1974.[2][3]
  2. National Masters News reported that "a well-intending police car, leading headstarting wheelchair participants, got out of runners' sight after the first quarter-mile, uphill, hence, the missed turn", and noted that the race director's "nimble adjustments of markers and barriers prevented further calamity", resulting in finishers running at least 26 mi 411 yd (42.219 km), and the leaders running around 26 mi 1,160 yd (42.904 km).[6] One runner mentioned that many ended up jumping over a 3 ft (1 m) cable in a parking lot due to the error.[6]
  3. Ilyina stated that she was looking for a restroom when she ran into a gas station.[7][8][9] A referee stated that this gave her an advantage of at least 25 yd (23 m).[7]
  4. In an effort to publicize the new route, marathon executives tapped Division of Labor, a San Francisco based ad agency to create a campaign dubbed "A Landmark Every Mile".[17] It featured a quick succession of shots of the numerous iconic sites along the route. The campaign helped the marathon sell out for the first time in history.
  5. Frank McCourt, the owner of the marathon, once owned the Los Angeles Dodgers.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 "Los Angeles Marathon". www.arrs.run. Archived from the original on November 27, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  2. "Ml_1973". arrs.run. Archived from the original on November 27, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  3. "Ml_1974". arrs.run. Archived from the original on November 27, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  4. "Ml_1972". Archived from the original on November 27, 2020.
  5. "Long run for the money - Sports Illustrated Vault | SI.com". vault.si.com. Archived from the original on November 27, 2020. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  6. 1 2 3 NMN May 1933 mastershistory.org p. 25
  7. 1 2 3 4 "Archived copy". apnews.com. Archived from the original on November 27, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  8. "Disqualified Runner Was in Predicament". Los Angeles Times. March 3, 1997. Archived from the original on November 27, 2020.
  9. "Gas Station Stop Costs Russian Victory". Deseret News. March 3, 1997. Archived from the original on November 27, 2020.
  10. "Dodgers owner McCourt buys rights to L.A. Marathon, to switch race's date". ESPN. September 25, 2008. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 "LA Marathon rescheduled for May due to coronavirus". Los Angeles Daily News. November 25, 2020. Archived from the original on November 26, 2020.
  12. "LA Marathon: 1½ years after 'no reason to cancel' debate, is it safe to run on Sunday?". Daily News. November 6, 2021. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  13. Xia, Rosanna; Miller, Leila; Ormseth, Matthew (March 8, 2020). "L.A. Marathon goes on despite coronavirus fears: Masks, sanitizer and humor amid the water bottles". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  14. "LA Marathon: 1½ years after 'no reason to cancel' debate, is it safe to run on Sunday?". Daily News. November 6, 2021. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  15. "COVID-19 Update". Archived from the original on November 26, 2020.
  16. "The Course | Los Angeles Marathon". www.lamarathon.com. Archived from the original on March 8, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  17. "Division of Labor | Top Ad Agency | Sports marketing | SF".
  18. 1 2 "Our History | SRLA". Archived from the original on December 1, 2010. Retrieved December 21, 2010.
  19. Boisvert, Yves (September 13, 2010). "Cyberpresse:Étudiants dans la course". La Presse.
  20. "Running for a legacy". Santa Monica Daily Press. February 26, 2020. Archived from the original on February 1, 2023. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  21. "Xact Results". results2.xacte.com. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  22. "Xact Results". results2.xacte.com. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  23. "Xact Results". results2.xacte.com. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  24. Miller, Jeff (March 8, 2020). "Bayelign Teshager and Margaret Muriuki win 2020 L.A. Marathon". Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, California. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  25. "LA Marathon Results". Xacte.com. Michigan: Xacte. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  26. 1 2 3 "Xact Results". Results2.xacte.com. Retrieved April 2, 2019.
  27. 1 2 3 "Skechers Performance Los Angeles Marathon Live Results!". Los Angeles Live Tracking. Retrieved April 2, 2019.
  28. Chavarría, Fanny (March 19, 2017). "Dos atletas de Kenia ganan el Maratón de Los Ángeles 2017" [Two Kenyan athletes win the 2017 Los Angeles Marathon]. Univision.com (in Spanish). Los Angeles. Retrieved August 13, 2017.
  29. "Mar 17 Newswire: Aleksandra Duliba wins the 2013 L.A. Marathon". Los Angeles Times. March 9, 2014. Retrieved June 15, 2014.
  30. "Mar 17 Newswire: Aleksandra Duliba wins the 2013 L.A. Marathon". Runinfinity.com. March 17, 2013. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
  31. Holmes, Baxter (March 18, 2012). "Fatuma Sado wins women's L.A. Marathon, Simon Njoroge wins men's". Los Angeles Times.
  32. Springer, Steve (March 7, 1994). "A Team, to the End". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 4, 2012.
  33. Master's History 1933
  34. "ARRS - Runner: Harolene Walters McLean". more.arrs.run. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
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