Matt Richtman of Illinois made history by becoming the first American man to win the Los Angeles Marathon since 1994, crossing the finish line with a time of 2:07:56. In the women’s race, Tejinesh Gebisa Tulu of Ethiopia claimed victory with a time of 2:30:16.
The Los Angeles Marathon, celebrating its 40th anniversary, saw over 26,000 participants from all 50 states and more than 70 countries. The race followed its traditional course, starting at Dodger Stadium and winding through iconic Los Angeles neighborhoods before concluding on Santa Monica Boulevard. This year’s event featured a Marathon Chase format, where elite women started ahead of the men, creating an added layer of excitement.
Richtman’s victory was particularly remarkable given that this was only his second marathon. The Los Angeles Marathon has long been dominated by Kenyan and Ethiopian runners, making his win a significant milestone in American distance running. After the race, Richtman expressed his surprise at the outcome, saying, “It’s definitely a surprise. You know, I came in feeling really good; it’s really hard to judge where you stack up against competition.”
Beyond the competition, the marathon also highlighted the resilience and unity of the Los Angeles community. Several firefighters who battled January’s wildfires participated in the race, including U.S. Forest Service Capt. Jerry Garcia, who helped pace runners aiming to finish in under three hours. The event also partnered with Together LA, an initiative dedicated to supporting those affected by the recent wildfires.
This year’s Los Angeles Marathon was not just a race but a powerful celebration of endurance, history, and community spirit.
