Los Angeles(Thechieftainspear) – Illinois native Matt Richtman made history on Sunday by becoming the first American to win the Los Angeles Marathon since 1994. Competing in only his second marathon, Richtman clocked an impressive 2:07:56, securing victory in one of the largest race fields in LA Marathon history.
A Breakthrough Performance
Richtman, a former Montana State University athlete, admitted that his win came as a surprise.
“I felt great coming into the race, but you never really know how you stack up against the competition,” he said after crossing the finish line. “It was a strong group, and I just tried to stay with them. My plan was to stay in the pack early on, feel out the course, and make my move later.”
Kenyan runner Athanas Kioko finished in second place with a time of 2:10:55, while fellow Kenyan Moses Kiptoo took third at 2:13:13.
On the women’s side, Ethiopia’s Tejinesh Gebisa Tulu took the title, finishing in 2:30:16. She narrowly edged out Kenyan Antonina Kwambai, who completed the race in 2:30:19. American Savannah Berry of Bakersfield secured third place, finishing in 2:30:31.
“I’m beyond thrilled,” Berry said. “It was an incredible experience running alongside such strong competitors. Seeing Matt win really gave me a boost—I wanted to represent the U.S. as well.”
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A Milestone Anniversary
The 2024 race marked the 40th anniversary of the Los Angeles Marathon, attracting over 26,000 participants. Only the 2020 edition, which saw over 27,000 runners, had a larger field.
Legacy runners—athletes who have completed all 39 previous marathons—were among the competitors, as were thousands of first-time marathoners. Dan Cruz, head of communications for The McCourt Foundation, noted a growing number of young participants and an increase in social running groups contributing to the marathon’s popularity.
Firefighters Running for a Cause
Several firefighters who battled California’s devastating January wildfires participated in the marathon. U.S. Forest Service Captain Jerry Garcia co-paced a group aiming to complete the race in 2 hours and 55 minutes. Garcia, a top competitor in his age group, previously won the Angeles Crest 100 trail race in 2017.
Los Angeles Fire Department firefighter Greg Balandran also competed, running on behalf of the Widows, Orphans, and Disabled Firefighters Fund.
Following the recent wildfires, the Los Angeles Marathon partnered with major race organizations—including the New York Road Runners, Chicago Marathon, and Boston Marathon organizers—to support “Together LA,” an initiative benefiting fire relief efforts. Proceeds from limited-edition merchandise will aid displaced families and provide emergency assistance.
Race Conditions and Course Details
The marathon began at 6:30 a.m. with the wheelchair racers, followed by the elite women at 6:44 a.m. and elite men at 7 a.m. With temperatures starting at 49 degrees and light winds, runners enjoyed favorable conditions, though temperatures rose to around 60 degrees by midday.
The scenic “Stadium to the Stars” course took participants through some of LA’s most iconic neighborhoods, including Chinatown, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and Westwood, before finishing on Santa Monica Boulevard in Century City.
Prize Money and Marathon Chase Return
This year’s event also saw the return of the Marathon Chase, where the elite women’s field started 16 minutes and 5 seconds ahead of the men, with the first overall finisher earning a $10,000 bonus. The chase format, which was discontinued in 2015 and revived in 2022, has seen female runners win every time since its return.
The men’s and women’s champions each received $10,000, with second- and third-place finishers earning $5,000 and $3,500, respectively. Wheelchair division winners were awarded $2,500.
The LA Marathon has been dominated by Kenyan and Ethiopian athletes in recent decades, with American runners rarely claiming the top spots. Richtman’s victory broke a three-decade drought for U.S. men, with the last American winner being Paul Pilkington in 1994.
In the wheelchair division, Francisco Sanclemente of Colombia won for the third consecutive year, finishing in 1:38:10. American Miguel Vergara placed second at 1:43:32.
With an expanding field of competitors and increasing enthusiasm from local and international runners, the Los Angeles Marathon continues to grow as one of the premier distance-running events in the world .
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