Introduction to the Los Angeles Marathon
The 40th annual Los Angeles Marathon took place on Sunday, marking a significant event in the athletic calendar. This year’s marathon saw a historic win by an American athlete, breaking a 31-year drought for American male winners.
The Winner: Matt Richtman
Matt Richtman won the marathon, becoming the first American man to take the title in 31 years. He achieved a personal-best time of 2 hours, 7 minutes, 56 seconds over the course that began at Dodger Stadium and went through downtown LA, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and Brentwood before ending in the Century City neighborhood.
The Competition
Athanas Kioko of Kenya was second in 2:10.55, followed by Moses Kurgat of Kenya, who took third in 2:13.13. Richtman’s victory was impressive, considering it was just his second marathon, following his debut last fall at the Twin Cities Marathon, where he finished fourth with a time of 2:10.47.
Richtman’s Strategy and Background
Richtman, from Elburn, Illinois, said, “I didn’t really have a super big plan coming into this. It’s always so tough, the marathon, just because so much can happen. I just told myself to stay in that pack until about the halfway mark and then if I felt good I could make a move. Ended up going a little bit to the lead and no one really came with me.” He was a member of the Montana State cross-country team, earning All-America honors as a junior in 2022-23.
Historical Context
The last American man to win the Los Angeles Marathon was Paul Pilkington in 1994, with a time of 2:12.13. Richtman’s win marks a significant achievement for American athletics, ending a long wait for a homegrown champion.
Women’s Race
In the women’s race, Tejinesh Tulu of Ethiopia took the title in 2:30.16, closely followed by Antonina Kwambai of Kenya in 2:30.19. Savannah Berry of Orem, Utah, was third in 2:30.31, a notable performance after finishing 12th at last year’s U.S. Olympic trials.
Conclusion
The 40th Los Angeles Marathon saw historic performances, with Matt Richtman becoming the first American man to win in 31 years. His personal-best time and strategic approach to the race led to a significant victory. The event also highlighted strong performances in the women’s race, with Tejinesh Tulu taking the top spot.
FAQs
- Q: Who won the 40th Los Angeles Marathon?
A: Matt Richtman was the winner, becoming the first American man to take the title in 31 years. - Q: What was Matt Richtman’s finish time?
A: He finished with a personal-best time of 2 hours, 7 minutes, 56 seconds. - Q: Who were the top three finishers in the women’s race?
A: Tejinesh Tulu of Ethiopia was first, followed by Antonina Kwambai of Kenya, and then Savannah Berry of Utah. - Q: When was the last time an American man won the Los Angeles Marathon before Matt Richtman?
A: The last American man to win was Paul Pilkington in 1994.
