Kenyan Athletes Dominate 39th Los Angeles Marathon with Record-Breaking Attendance of 26,000 Runners
ICARO Media Group
Kenyan athletes showcased their dominance in the race, securing top spots in both the men's and women's categories.
In the men's race, Dominic Ngeno claimed victory, crossing the finish line in an impressive unofficial time of 2:11:00. His countryman Cosmas Kiplimo closely followed, finishing second with a time of 2:11:05.55. On the women's side, Stacy Ndiwa captured her second consecutive title with a remarkable time of 2:25:28.97.
The Los Angeles Marathon drew participants from all 50 states and 70 nations, reflecting its global appeal. This year's edition marked a resurgence in interest, as 56% of the field consisted of runners who had never previously participated in the race. The event's head of communications, Dan Cruz, attributed the increased turnout to the growing popularity of social running clubs in the Greater Los Angeles area and the participation of renowned disc jockey and music producer Diplo in the previous year's race.
The marathon course stretched over 26.2 miles, starting at Dodger Stadium and passing through iconic Los Angeles neighborhoods such as downtown LA, Echo Park, Hollywood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Century City, Westwood, and Brentwood. The finish line was located on Santa Monica Boulevard between Avenue of the Stars and Century Park East.
Notable participants included diverse age groups, ranging from 12-year-old seventh-graders running as part of the Students Run LA program to 87-year-old Claude Bruni, a retired auto repair shop owner. The elite women's field started 17 minutes ahead of the elite men's field for the Marathon Chase, with the overall first finisher earning a $10,000 bonus.
The Los Angeles Marathon also paid tribute to past achievements. Joan Benoit Samuelson, the winner of the inaugural Olympic women's marathon during the 1984 Los Angeles Games, was honored as she held the finish line tape. Additionally, 95 legacy runners, who had completed all 38 previous editions of the race, were recognized along the course, and a special tribute was dedicated to the late Los Angeles Councilman Tom LaBonge.
The winners of the men's and women's races will receive $6,000 each, while the second-place finishers will be awarded $2,500 and third-place $1,500. In the wheelchair category, both men's and women's winners will receive $2,500. The race also had a charitable aspect, as 92 charity partners were involved, with runners collectively raising more than $3 million.
The 39th Los Angeles Marathon showcased the strength and determination of both seasoned and emerging runners from around the world. This remarkable event continues to hold its reputation as a premier marathon, attracting athletes of all backgrounds and putting Los Angeles on the global map of long-distance running.