Categoria: LA Marathon

LA Marathon Is Back In A Big Way, Organizers Say

by Vittorio Ferla 20 Marzo 2023 Comments0

The 38th annual Los Angeles Marathon returned on Sunday, March 19 — and about 22,000 competitors completed the 26.2 mile course through some of the city’s most iconic neighborhoods and landmarks without a hitch, despite some concerns about wet weather.

The massive field of runners, who came from all 50 states and 67 countries around the world, nearly matched the marathon’s highest-ever turnout of 27,150 racers in 2020.

The first post-pandemic marathon was hosted in November 2021 — eight months later than usual — because of concerns about spreading the virus. Participants that year were required to show proof of vaccination, wear masks and maintain a semblance of social distance.

The pool of contestants dipped significantly that year, with about 13,000 athletes taking on the 26.2 mile course through the City of Angels that year.

The 2022 marathon, hosted just six months later, also had trouble recruiting entrants because of the public health restrictions and concerns. About 14,000 athletes ran the race that year.

“Everything was a nightmare,” said Dan Cruz, the LA Marathon’s head of communications, on Monday, March 20. “All of the attention was on that — it was a distraction not only for society, but for the organization.”

But now, with COVID-19 restrictions lifted, the LA Marathon is returning to normal.

“The marathon is back in a big way, after two years pandemic impacts,” Cruz said. “This was a race that was born out of the (1984) Olympics — with the Olympics returning, it’s only going to continue to get bigger and more meaningful for our community.”

Runners get a message of encouragement at the El Capitan Theater along Hollywood Blvd during the 38th LA Marathon Sunday, March 19, 2023. The race began at Dodger Stadium and winded through downtown Los Angeles, Hollywood, and Beverly Hills before finishing in Century City. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Runners move up Hollywood Blvd in Hollywood during the 38th LA Marathon Sunday, March 19, 2023. The race began at Dodger Stadium and winded through downtown Los Angeles, Hollywood, and Beverly Hills before finishing in Century City. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Runners gather before dawn at Dodger Stadium for the start of the 38th LA Marathon Sunday, March 19, 2023. The race begins at Dodger Stadium and winds through downtown Los Angeles, Hollywood and Beverly Hills before finishing in Century City. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Runners receive their medals after finishing the 38th Annual LA Marathon in Century City on Sunday, March 19, 2023. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)

Fans open umbrellas as rain falls on Runners along Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills during the 38th LA Marathon Sunday, March 19, 2023. The race began at Dodger Stadium and winded through downtown Los Angeles, Hollywood, and Beverly Hills before finishing in Century City. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Runners head out from Dodger Stadium at the start of the 38th LA Marathon Sunday, March 19, 2023. The race begins at Dodger Stadium and winds through downtown Los Angeles, Hollywood and Beverly Hills before finishing in Century City. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Runners compete in the LA Big 5K at Dodger Stadium on Saturday, March 18, 2023, a warm-up event for the 38th LA Marathon the next day. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)

Jose Padilla passes out medals at the finish line of the LA Big 5K at Dodger Stadium on Saturday, March 18, 2023, a warm-up event for the 38th LA Marathon the next day. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)

Fans cheer on runners along Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills during the 38th LA Marathon Sunday, March 19, 2023. The race began at Dodger Stadium and winded through downtown Los Angeles, Hollywood, and Beverly Hills before finishing in Century City. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Fans cheer on runners along Wilshire Blvd in Beverly Hills during the 38th LA Marathon Sunday, March 19, 2023. The race began at Dodger Stadium and winded through downtown Los Angeles, Hollywood, and Beverly Hills before finishing in Century City. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Runners head up a long hill on 1st street during the 38th LA Marathon Sunday, March 19, 2023. The race began at Dodger Stadium and winded through downtown Los Angeles, Hollywood, and Beverly Hills before finishing in Century City. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Runners pass by high-end stores on Wilshire Blvd in Beverly Hills during the 38th LA Marathon Sunday, March 19, 2023. The race began at Dodger Stadium and winded through downtown Los Angeles, Hollywood, and Beverly Hills before finishing in Century City. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Runners head past the Disney Concert Hall during the 38th LA Marathon Sunday, March 19, 2023. The race began at Dodger Stadium and winded through downtown Los Angeles, Hollywood, and Beverly Hills before finishing in Century City. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Runners take on water along Hollywood Blvd during the 38th LA Marathon Sunday, March 19, 2023. The race began at Dodger Stadium and winded through downtown Los Angeles, Hollywood, and Beverly Hills before finishing in Century City. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Sunday also saw the return of the LA Marathon’s famous supporters, Cruz said, with celebrities including world-renowned DJ Diplo completing the full marathon. Other celebrities, including actors Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher, participated in the half marathon.

“It went forever, but by the time I hit the turnaround I had to take my shirt off and celebrate,” Diplo said in a post-marathon interview with Cruz on Sunday. “Its great to be a part of this.”

The star power, Cruz said, helps the McCourt Foundation — which organizes the race — alongside its 80-plus charitable partners raise millions of dollars for good causes during the event.

Some of those partners include Students Run L.A., St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, the American Cancer Society, and the Alzheimer’s association. The marathon’s partners, Cruz said, raised about $2.5 million for their respective causes on Sunday alone.

“That has to be one of the largest one-day fundraising totals,” Cruz said.

But aside from the fundraising efforts, Cruz said, this year’s marathon also provided the community a place to unite for one common goal — and to experience LA’s sights unincumbered by the typical throngs of tourists and vehicle traffic.

“The marathon is such a unique event that just brings out the best in people,” Cruz said. “We’re in this very polarized society — this is a unifying event that connects so many unique parts of Los Angeles, and the course itself is just an incredible tour of the city.

“It’s not only about the sights that you see,” Cruz added. “All the things that make Los Angeles such a special place to live, the marathon showcases and brings out.”

There were some concerns about rainy weather ahead of the race — but those, too, largely dissipated once the athletes were off to the races. The marathon’s organizers worked with LA’s Bureau of Street Service to ensure the roadways were safe for runners, Cruz said.

“It was a priority, and we worked with our public agency partners to address that,” Cruz said. “We also communicated to runners in advance to make sure to watch (their) footing — (because of) the recent rains that we’ve had in Southern California.”

But aside from a handful of marathon participants needing medical attention throughout the race, Cruz said, there were no major safety or medical emergencies reported on Sunday.

Filed under LA Marathon Top Stories LADN

L.A. Marathon: Jemal Yimer, Stacy Nwida Win – And She Earns Bonus

by Ufficio Stampa 19 Marzo 2023 Comments0

LOS ANGELES — Jemal Yimer waited patiently until nearly two hours into the 38th Los Angeles Marathon to make his move. That’s when the 26-year-old from Ethiopia decided to break away from the pack at mile 23, on his way to winning by nearly one minute in a time of 2 hours, 13 minutes and 13 seconds.

The 26.2-mile course, which began at Dodger Stadium and moved through downtown L.A., Hollywood, Beverly Hills and Century City, ended with a jubilant fist pump by Yimer as he broke the tape.

“It’s a good race. I’m happy today,” Yimer said. “Thank you so much, Los Angeles.”

Kenya’s Stacy Ndiwa, 30, not only won the women’s race in a personal-best 2 hours and 31 minutes. She won a $10,000 bonus by holding off a late charge by Yimer to be the first person to cross the finish line in the marathon chase challenge. The time differential for the marathon chase challenge was set at 18 minutes and 19 seconds.

“I was so prepared for this race,” Ndiwa said.

Her coach, Haron Lagat, said the additional prize money means the world to Ndiwa.

“As soon as I told her … she started crying because I know what she has gone through,” Lagat said. “She lost her (running) contract a few years ago when she had a baby. I feel like companies should not be cutting women. When you have a baby they should let you keep your contract because men are having babies (too). Why are they not cutting men?”

Lagat said Ndiwa’s win was about making a statement in the marathon, especially because it was her trip to the USA.

“The name itself, L.A., is very important,” Lagat added. “When you win L.A., when you’re a champion of L.A., everyone knows L.A., so actually the most important part is the city. I feel like this event should be way bigger than it is.”

Kenya’s Stacy Ndiwa gives it her all to win women’s race at the 38th Los Angeles Marathon. Ethiopia’s Jemal Yimer won the men’s race. @ladailynews @lamarathon #LAMarathon pic.twitter.com/36znGRI6ES

— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) March 19, 2023

The men’s race was down to a lead pack of six runners before mile 2, including Yimmer, who was among the leaders from start to finish.

At the halfway point, five runners were still in contention: Kenya’s Emanuel Ngatuny, Thomas Rono and Barnaba Kipkoech, and Ethiopia’s Yemane Tsegay and Yimer.

Tsegay, 37, finished second in 2:14:06. Kipkoech, 29, finished third in 2:14:27.

The L.A. Marathon was also a prime opportunity for Americans to chase a qualifying time for the 2024 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials which will be held on Feb. 3, 2024, in Orlando, Fla.

The men needed to run 2:18 or faster. The women needed to run 2:37 or faster.

The fastest American man was Hosava Kretzmann of Flagstaff, Ariz. Kretzmann, 28, finished sixth in 2:19:55.

“It was tough,” Kretzmann said. “Hills are always tough. This was my first marathon too. So I wasn’t expecting any of this. I was hoping for it to be flatter but I just went out and tried to hold on.”

Kretzmann said after making his marathon debut he’s going to keep pushing for 2 hours and 18 minutes or faster.

“That’s what I was shooting for today,” Kretzmann said. “I thought it was going to be a piece of cake, but running this course is tough. Hill after hill, you never know what’s going to happen. I didn’t really look at the course, so I didn’t know what to expect. I just wanted to run into it with an open mind. I’m just happy that I’m here.”

The fastest American at the 38th Los Angeles Marathon was Hosava Kretzmann of Prescott, Arizona. Kretzmann made his marathon debut and finished in 2:19:55, which is less than two minutes from qualifying for the 2024 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials. #LAMarathon @ladailynews… https://t.co/JOfGvaUReD pic.twitter.com/Anopti18IV

— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) March 19, 2023

The fastest local runner was Jason Yang of Los Angeles. The 22-year-old finished ninth in 2:27:57.

Meanwhile, the women’s race was down to just three runners before mile 6: Kenya’s Grace Kahura and Martha Akeno, and Ndiwa.

Only Ndiwa and Akeno were in contention at mile 10. Nwida broke away at mile 19 along Santa Monica Boulevard in Century City and never looked back.

Akeno, 29, hung on to finish second in 2:34:25. Kahura, 29 finished third in 2:38:15.

The fastest American woman was Ashley Paulson of Mendon, Utah. Paulson, 41 and a mother of four children, finished fourth in 2:48:47.

“This is the first time I’ve ever had them ever come and bring a flag,” Paulson said while holding back tears. “I’ve seen so many athletes that I admire have that, and what a cool experience to be able to do that. It wasn’t my fastest marathon, but it’s really special and I’ll never forget having this feeling and I want it again and again now.”

Ashley Paulson of Utah was the fastest American, finishing 4th at the 38th Los Angeles Marathon. It was her first time ever being draped in the American flag after a marathon, which made her emotional. @ladailynews @lamarathon #LAMarathon pic.twitter.com/ecbqon47pr

— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) March 19, 2023

The fastest local runner was Margaux Curcuru of Rosamond. The 31-year-old finished sixth in 2:53:02, which was a new personal best.

Her time was also a 39-minute improvement from her 3:32 result at last year’s L.A. Marathon.

Margaux Curcuru finished 6th with a personal best time of 2:53:02 at the 38th Los Angeles Marathon. She improved 39 minutes on her time from last year’s race. @ladailynews #LAMarathon pic.twitter.com/0k1gBonuJw

— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) March 19, 2023

Filed under LA Marathon Sports Top Stories Breeze Top Stories LADN Top Stories LBPT Top Stories PSN Top Stories SGVT

Making Strides For Runners Of Color At LA Marathon

by Mata 19 Marzo 2023 Comments0

For some, Sunday’s 2023 Los Angeles Marathon was more than an opportunity to run — it was a chance to create opportunities for other runners. For such groups, victory meant much more than getting across the finish line in Universal City.

Quite visible on the course — a sea of neon in their telltale yellow jerseys — were more than 3,100 runners from Students Run L.A., an after-school mentoring and physical fitness program offered at more than 185 public schools in the Greater Los Angeles Area. The program engages underserved communities from the San Fernando and San Gabriel valleys to Whittier, San Pedro, Eagle Rock — and everywhere between.

“The program is about developing them as leaders, developing them to become positive role models,” said Kristi Dorf, a SRLA leader and teacher at Twin Lakes Intermediate School in El Monte.

The year-long program — which concludes each year with the L.A. Marathon run — is just as much about character, leadership and achievement as it is about fitness.

“It’s just derived from passion,” said Analiah Herrera, an eighth grader waiting for her turn to take off Sunday onto the 26.2-mile course that included some of L.A.s most familiar landmarks.

“I do a lot of other sports,” she added, “(like) softball and soccer.”

Analiah hadn’t run a full marathon yet, but she’d been prepping along with her classmates — and hit an 18-mile course before Sunday’s big finale.

“(I’m) excited,” Analiah said, noting that her only plans after crossing the finish line are to “eat and sleep pretty much.”

Runners take on water in front of the Dorothy Chandler Pavillon during the 38th LA Marathon Sunday, March 19, 2023. The race began at Dodger Stadium and winded through downtown Los Angeles, Hollywood, and Beverly Hills before finishing in Century City. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG) Analiah and other students have been preparing for the event since September, along with their teachers and administrators who volunteered their time to train with them.

The group’s goals: Boost students’ self-confidence, build camaraderie and offer up completing the marathon as a achievement — the result of a season of sweat, focus and dedication.

Brised Nolasco, a seventh grader also running her first marathon, added one more achievement — experiencing one heck of a day in L.A.

“It’s just for fun,” she smiled.

Black Girls Run, a nationwide organization with a local chapter in L.A., also sent a contingent to the marathon.

“It’s important because in our community, this is something that’s not taught until we actually have a diagnosis maybe for diabetes or high blood pressure,” said BGR LA ambassador Sherri Harris. “Usually in the Black community, this is not something that’s addressed on a proactive basis— its more of a reactive basis.”

Communities of color in LA have also historically had less access to parks, green space, and sidewalks. Many neighborhoods, including South LA, are classified as food deserts, meaning there are few with fewer stores offering healthy food options in the area — further preventing people living in those neighborhoods from maintaining active and healthy lifestyles.

Black Girls Run was established in 2009 with the goal of helping Black women overcome those barriers.

Black Girls Run Los Angeles Chapter members at the 2023 LA Marathon on Sunday, March 19. (Photo courtesy of BGR LA). “We don’t have membership dues, but we teach some of the same strategies that other running groups teach for a fee,” Harris said. “The ladies that run with us are here on a voluntary basis and they get training for 5ks, 10ks, half marathons and full marathons.”

About 12 members of the BGR LA chapter ran in Sunday’s marathon, Harris said — but the group has more than 6,000 members in total.

“A lot of women come for that supporting one another (and) having a space of bit having a space to air your concerns,” Harris said. “It’s not just physical, it’s also mental — the accountability, the camaraderie. BGR gives you a foundation and a platform to find other women that are like-minded.”

And, Harris said, anyone is welcome to join them.

“Any woman that wants to run and move with a purpose to be healthy, and to have an active and healthy lifestyle — we support that,” Harris said, “no matter what your race, religion color or creed.”

Empowering Leadership in Latina Athletes also participated at Sunday’s big run, aiming to raise funds to help pay for for sports equipment for local schools.

The group, established in 2019, seeks to level the playing field for Latina athletes — who aren’t always equally represented in collegiate athletics, according to ELLA co-founder Patty Godoy.

Empowering Leadership in Latina Athletes was at the LA Marathon to fundraise for sports equipment for local schools. The group, established in 2019, seeks to level the playing field for Latina athletes — who aren’t equally represented in collegiate athletics, according to ELLA co-founder Patty Godoy. Photo: Kristy Hutchings, SCNG Empowering Leadership in Latina Athletes was at the L.A. Marathon to fundraise for sports equipment for local schools. The group, established in 2019, seeks to level the playing field for Latina athletes — who aren’t equally represented in collegiate athletics, according to ELLA co-founder Patty Godoy. Photo: Kristy Hutchings, SCNG“We know that as girls continue in their journey, when they want to get serious about playing in college,” Godoy said, “there are fewer girls of color represented.”

Godoy added: ”ELLA, meanwhile, works to ensure that young Latina women and girls are encouraged to participate in sports early — and stick with them later in life.”

The group also encourages collegiate athletes to pursue education and leadership skills, Godoy said, so they can have a career post-university.

“We want to make sure they have leadership skills that enable them to be successful,” Godoy said.

ELLA also does community outreach — including staffing a table at the marathon on Sunday — to boost underserved schools.

To help raise money, Godoy and a group of about 40 participated in the half marathon Sunday.

“We’re very thankful for everybody that is here fundraising,” Godoy said, “And we hope that they continue to help us because there are a lot of inequalities that are out there in sports community that we want to level.”

Filed under Community diversity LA Marathon Top Stories LADN

LA Marathon: Pre-Event For Runners And Public March 17-18 At Dodger Stadium

by Mata 15 Marzo 2023 Comments0

Runners line up for the LA Big 5K at Elysian Park near Dodger Stadium on Saturday, March 19, 2022.(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer) The 2023 Los Angeles Marathon, the “Stadium to the Stars” on March 19, is presented by Asics, a Japanese multinational corporation that sells athletic footwear, clothing and accessories.

Asics — an acronym taken from a Latin phrase that may be translated to “sound mind, sound body” — is also hosting the required runner bib and race packet pickup for registered marathon runners. And on March 17-18 Asics is hosting the Charity Half Marathon at a Health and Fitness Expo at Dodger Stadium.

If you are running in the marathon, there is no “race day” bib pickup unless you have pre-purchased Start Line Hospitality.

Details on the pickup for runners can be found starting on page 5 in the 2023 information program here (pdf file): bit.ly/42gVwcu

The public is invited to attend the free expo to shop for official Los Angeles Marathon clothing and footwear and see new designs in athletic clothing and footwear, as well as health products from exhibitors. Information about the expo can be found at http://www.lamarathon.com/pages/los-angeles-marathon-expo

The bib pickup and Health and Fitness Expo is held at Dodger Stadium’s Lot G, 1000 Vin Scully Ave., Los Angeles. Free parking is available through Gates A and E.

– 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday, March 17

– 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, March 18

LA Big 5K and the Half-K Kids Run The LA Big 5K race is held on March 18 beginning at Dodger Stadium. The all-ages event 5K — which is sold out — begins at 8 a.m. with an adult course that winds through Elysian Park.

The Half-K Kids Run (about 1/4-mile), for ages 3-8, starts at 9:30 a.m. and is an out-and-back run from the starting line; $15. Check this page to see if registration is still open: http://www.mccourtfoundation.org/pages/la-big-5k-kids-run).

Adult and children participants in the LA Big 5K can pick up their bib and race packet at the “Health and Fitness Expo,” 10 a.m.-7 p.m. March 17 (in Lot G), or 6:30 a.m. on race day (in Lot H). To pick up race packets, use parking at Gates A or E at Dodger Stadium.

For the LA Big 5K races on March 18, the entrance to parking is restricted to two gates at Dodger Stadium, the Sunset gate (at Sunset Boulevard) and the Downtown gate (from the 110 Freeway). Both gates open at 6 a.m. Parking for the LA Big 5K is available in Lot K (8 and 10).

Details are here, for the LA Big 5K and the Half-K Kids Run (a pdf file): bit.ly/3mZ7B5W

LA Marathon Finish Line and Festival The marathon’s finish line this year is on Santa Monica Boulevard between Avenue of the Stars and Century Park East in Century City.

After the marathon, marathon finishers, family and friends, and spectators are invited to the “Finish Festival” with a beer garden sponsored by Heineken 0.0., live entertainment, and a merchandise store for marathon finishers. The beer garden is open between 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. (must be age 21 to access and show an ID).

The festival, presented by Century Park, is open from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on March 19. Century Park, 2000 Avenue of the Stars, Century City.

Register for the 2024 LA Marathon For those who want to register ahead for next year’s Los Angeles Marathon on March 17, 2024, signups are available with pre-sale pricing on March 17-20.

Information on the 2023 Los Angeles Marathon: http://www.mccourtfoundation.org/pages/la-marathon

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