Kenyan Runners Dominate 39th L.A. Marathon, Setting New Records

On a beautiful St. Patrick’s Day morning in Los Angeles, the 39th L.A. Marathon saw Kenyan runners, led by Dominic Ngeno, showcase their dominance in the elite male division. Ngeno’s victory, marked by a kiss to the ground at the finish line, came after he pulled ahead of fellow Kenyan Cosmas Kiplimo in the final stretch of the 26.2-mile route.

Ngeno’s winning time of 2:10:20 was significantly faster than the previous year’s champion, Jemal Yimer of Ethiopia. Despite aiming for a faster 2:08 finish, he attributed the slight slowdown in pace to the humid conditions in the last few kilometers. The race was a display of strategic pacing and endurance for the Kenyan athlete.

The women’s division saw a familiar face triumph as Stacy Ndiwa defended her title with a remarkable time of 2:25:28. Ndiwa, who separated from runner-up Volha Mazuronak in the closing mile, exhibited determination and precision in her winning performance.

The L.A. Marathon history features notable records, with Markos Geneti holding the men’s record from 2011. However, this year emphasized Kenyan excellence with Ngeno, Kiplimo, and Ndiwa all standing out as deserving champions in a race filled with excitement and high-level competition.

The event also paid tribute to the late Tom LaBonge, a beloved Los Angeles Councilman, with a specially dedicated mile along the course. Additionally, several nonprofit organizations, including Students Run LA and the Neighborhood Nip Foundation, were highlighted for their charitable efforts throughout the marathon.