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Los Angeles Marathon

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The Los Angeles Marathon (formerly known as the City of Los Angeles Marathon) is an annual running event typically held each spring in Los Angeles, California, since 1986. The marathon was inspired by the success of the 1984 Summer Olympic Games hosted in Los Angeles, and has become one of the largest marathons in the country, with more than 25,000 participants, thousands of volunteers, and hundreds of thousands of spectators.

Los Angeles Marathon
DateFebruary/March
LocationLos Angeles, California, U.S.
Event typeRoad
DistanceMarathon, 26.219 mi (42.195 km)
Established1986 (38 years ago) (1986)
(current era)
Course recordsMen: 2:06:35
Markos Geneti (2011)
Women: 2:25:10
Lidiya Grigoryeva (2006)
Official sitelamarathon.com
Traversing Olympic Blvd. in 2009

Since 2020, the event has been sponsored by Asics and is officially titled the Los Angeles Marathon presented by ASICS.

History

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Benjamin Limo at the start of the marathon in 2009

Municipal Games era

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In 1970, a race of length 25 miles (40 km) was held in Los Angeles.[1]

In 1971, the race was lengthened to the distance of a standard marathon – 26 miles 385 yards – and known as the "Griffith Park Marathon".[1] It was held at the same time as the Municipal Games.[1]

The 1972 race was known as the "Municipal Games Marathon", while races from 1973 to 1977 were known as the "Los Angeles Marathon",[a] and the 1978 edition was known as the "Los Angeles Police Marathon".[1][4]

The Association of Road Racing Statisticians (ARRS) has no record of any races in this series after 1978.[1]

Los Angeles Lite era

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The inaugural race in 1981, known as the "Jordache Los Angeles Pro-Am Marathon", was run with two sections, a professional section with 100,000 USD in prize money, and an amateur section.[1][5]

Both the 1982 and 1983 races were known as the "Los Angeles Lite Marathon".[1]

In 1983, runners were misdirected, but the course was changed to ensure that finishers ran at least a marathon.[1][6][b]

ARRS has no record of any races in this series after 1983.[1]

Current era

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The inaugural marathon of the current series was first held in 1986.[1]

In 1997, Nadezhda Ilyina crossed the finish line first, but was disqualified for cutting the course through a service station.[1][7][c] The victory went to Ilyina's friend and first-time marathoner Lornah Kiplagat.[1][7]

Since 2008, the operating rights to the Los Angeles Marathon are the property of former Los Angeles Dodgers owner, Frank McCourt.[10]

The race date for 2009 was moved to Memorial Day, May 25, because the city council wished "to limit the impact on Sunday morning church services".[11] After runner criticism due to the increased probability of warmer weather, the race date was moved back to March for the 2010 race.[11]

The 2016 edition was held on February 14 to coincide with the U.S. Olympic Trials for the marathon held in Los Angeles the day before.[11]

The 34th edition of the marathon took place on March 24, 2019.[12]

Despite Los Angeles County having issued a state of emergency four days prior due to the coronavirus pandemic and criticism from other public officials including councilman Mike Bonin,[13] mayor Eric Garcetti allowed the 2020 marathon to continue as scheduled on March 8, 2020.[12]

The 2021 edition of the race was postponed to November 7 due to the coronavirus, pandemic, with all registrants given the option of running the race virtually or transferring their entry to 2022, 2023, or 2024.[14][11]

In 2022, the marathon chase was revived, after a 7 year absence after its 10 year stint. The chase involves both women and men elite fields running to reach the finish line first. However, the women are given a head start based on an assessment on both fields and their personal bests. For example, the 2024 edition featured a 17 minute head start favoring the women. Along with a $6,000 prize for the winner of each gender field, the winner of the chase earns a $10,000 bonus.[15]

Course

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External image
  Course map of full marathon in 2020[16]
 
Romanian Nuța Olaru in 2009

The original route in 1986 started at Exposition Park and ended at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

The route around the turn of the millennium both started and ended in Downtown Los Angeles.

From 2007 to 2008, it started south of Universal City and ended in Downtown Los Angeles.[d]

The iconic "Stadium to Sea" route started at Dodger Stadium[e] and ended in Santa Monica.

The course was changed in the middle of 2020 to end at Avenue of the Stars in Century City due to "dramatically increased costs quoted by the city of Santa Monica" to continue hosting the finish there.[11]

Community impact

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In 2014, the Los Angeles Marathon charity program continued its tremendous growth as 91 participating charities combined to raise a cumulative total $3.7 million.

Students Run LA

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In 1987, six students at East Los Angeles’ Boyle Heights High School enrolled in a marathon training program offered by teacher Harry Shabazian. On March 4, 1990, two dozen teachers from around the city joined the three co-founders, with students from their respective schools, and together, they all ran in the Los Angeles Marathon V. In 1993, Students Run LA spun off from LAUSD and became an independent 501(c)(3) organization.[18] SRLA continues to provide its after-school mentoring and training program to all students of grades 7-12 for free. For the 6 months leading to the marathon, SRLA grants free entry and transport to its participants in races of increasing length, a 5K, 10K, 15K, two half marathons, and a 30K. Students in the program receive free training shirts, running shoes, marathon uniforms, along with race expenses. Today, more than 3,200 middle and high school students, from 185 school and community programs, train alongside 550 volunteer leaders, and 99% of students complete the LA Marathon.[18][19][20]

Inspired by the success of SRLA, a pilot project was begun with the Montreal Marathon and Students on the run (Étudiants dans la course) was created with the first objective to complete the September 2010 Montreal Marathon. There were 19 students to begin with and 12 completed the 2010 event. The program continues with a new group and a new objective, complete the 2011 event.[21]

Legacy Runners

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Each year, the marathon honors Legacy Runners, runners who have finished every Los Angeles Marathon since its inception in 1986. Each Legacy Runner receives a special bib with a permanent bib number.

In the 2024 edition, 95 Legacy Runners completed their 1000th mile of the LA Marathon, which was situated at mile 4 of the race.[22]

Television coverage

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From 1986 to 2001 KCOP-TV televised the Los Angeles Marathon, in 2002, KCAL-TV, from 2003 to 2007, KNBC and from 2008 to present, KTLA.

Since 2017, the event has been carried nationally on WGN America except in Los Angeles.

Top finishers

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Winners Weldon Kirui and Nataliya Lehonkova with Mayor Garcetti, 2016
 
Simon Njoroge winning in 2012
 
Fatuma Sado winning in 2012

Ages of top finishers in the Masters category are given in parentheses.

Key:   Course record

Year
Category Men Women
2024 Results March 17, 2024[23]
Open   Dominic Ngeno 2:11:01   Stacy Ndiwa 2:25:29
Wheelchair   Francisco Sanclemente 1:37:14   Hannah Babalola 2:19:24
2023 Results March 19, 2023[24]
Open   Jemal Yimer 2:13:15   Stacy Ndiwa 2:31:02
Wheelchair   Francisco Sanclemente 1:43:55   Hannah Babalola 2:50:35
2022 Results March 20, 2022[25]
Open   John Korir 2:09:08   Delvine Meringor 2:25:04
Wheelchair   Tyler Byers 1:49:17   Corey Petersen 3:23:32
2021 Results November 7, 2021[26]
Open   John Korir 2:12:48   Natasha Cockram 2:33:17
Wheelchair   Cesar Gonzalez 2:08:26   Mary Thompson 4:25:01
2020 Results March 8, 2020[27][28]
Open   Bayelign Teshager 2:08:26   Margaret Muriuki 2:29:27
Masters   Carlos Lopez (42) 2:37:49   Madeleine Sargent (42) 2:48:17
Wheelchair   Rafael Botello Jimenez 1:44:37   Vanessa Christina de Souza 1:59:55
2019 Results March 24, 2019[29]
Open   Elisha Barno 2:11:45   Askale Marachi 2:24:11
Masters   Jesse Williams (41) 2:36:54   Ingrid Walters (47) 2:48:03
Wheelchair   Joshua Cassidy[29] 1:31:48   Katrina Gerhard[29] 1:56:23
2018 Results March 18, 2018[30]
Open   Weldon Kirui 2:11:47   Sule Gedo 2:33:50
Masters   Carlos Larios (45) 2:34:18   Ingrid Walters (46) 2:55:28
Wheelchair   Krige Schabort[30] 1:35:40   Michelle Wheeler[30] 2:16:36
2017 Results March 19, 2017[31]
Open   Elisha Barno 2:11:53   Hellen Jepkurgat 2:34:24
Masters   Peter Lawrence (45) 2:38:05   Gina Johnson (43) 3:10:27
Wheelchair   Tom Davis 1:06:52   Jenna Rollman 1:43:14
2016 Results February 14, 2016
Open   Weldon Kirui 2:13:06   Nataliya Lehonkova 2:30:40
Masters   Brett Bernacchi (43) 2:40:07   Rebecca Trachsel (41) 3:05:29
Wheelchair   Owen Daniels 1:21:27   Jenna Rollman 1:53:44
2015 Results March 15, 2015
Open   Daniel Limo 2:10:36   Ogla Kimaiyo 2:34:10
Masters   Oswaldo Hurtado (41) 2:34:03   Victoria Russell (43) 2:50:03
Wheelchair   Scott Parson 1:37:12   Shirley Reilly 2:00:27
2014 Results March 9, 2014
Open   Gebo Burka 2:10:37   Amane Gobena 2:27:37
Masters   Ricardo Ramirez (41) 2:38:20   Dolores Valencia (49) 2:57:58
Wheelchair   Joshua George 1:33:11   Susannah Scaroni 1:54:54 [32]
2013 Results March 17, 2013
Open   Erick Mose 2:09:43   Aleksandra Duliba 2:25:39 [33]
Masters   Abderrahmane Djemadi (42) 2:37:07   Deena Kastor (40) 2:32:39
Wheelchair   Krige Schabort 1:30:50   Susannah Scaroni 1:54:39
2012 Results March 18, 2012
Open   Simon Njoroge 2:12:12   Fatuma Sado 2:25:39 [34]
Masters   Nicholas Bowden (40) 2:38:26   Tetyana Mezentseva (40) 2:31:20
Wheelchair   Krige Schabort 1:39:53   Shirley Reilly 1:57:09
2011 Results March 20, 2011
Open   Markos Geneti 2:06:35   Buzunesh Deba 2:26:34
Masters   Juan Jose Ortiz Jauregui (44) 2:44:10   Svetlana Ponomarenko (41) 2:38:56
Wheelchair   Krige Schabort 1:33:15   Shirley Reilly 1:57:25
2010 Results March 21, 2010
Open   Wesley Korir 2:09:19   Edna Kiplagat 2:25:38
Masters   Juan Ramirez (41) 2:39:35   Linda Somers-Smith (48) 2:36:33
Wheelchair   Krige Schabort 1:31:51   Amanda McGrory 1:53:12
2009 Results May 25, 2009
Open   Wesley Korir 2:08:24   Tatyana Petrova 2:25:59
Masters   Martin Rindahl (45) 2:43:17   Carista Strickland (47) 3:14:45
Wheelchair   Aaron Gordian 1:31:19   Amanda McGrory 1:48:13
2008 Results March 2, 2008
Open   Laban Moiben 2:13:50   Tatyana Aryasova 2:29:09
Masters   Fermin Sequen (40) 2:34:34   Tatiana Titova (42) 2:51:32
Wheelchair   Saul Mendoza 1:31:12   Cheri Blauwet 1:53:35
2007 Results March 4, 2007
Open   Fred Mogaka 2:17:14   Ramilya Burangulova 2:37:54
Masters   Yoshihisa Hosaka (58) 2:49:06   Ramilya Burangulova (45) 2:37:54
Wheelchair   Kurt Fearnley 1:23:40   Shelly Woods 1:50:55
2006 Results March 19, 2006
Open   Benson Cherono 2:08:40   Lidiya Grigoryeva 2:25:10
Masters   Jose Ortiz Pina (43) 2:33:23   Lyudmyla Pushkina (40) 2:41:15
Wheelchair   Ernst Van Dyk 1:24:48   Shirley Reilly 1:55:23
2005 Results March 6, 2005
Open   Mark Saina 2:09:35   Lyubov Denisova 2:26:11
Masters Ezequiel Hernandez (41) 2:45:01   Tatyana Pozdnyakova (50) 2:31:05
Wheelchair   Kurt Fearnley 1:30:11   Cheri Blauwet 1:51:45
2004 Results March 7, 2004
Open   David Kiptoo Kirui 2:13:41   Tatyana Pozdnyakova 2:30:17
Masters   Reynaldo Ramirez (40) 2:35:38   Tatyana Pozdnyakova (49) 2:30:17
Wheelchair   Joel Jeannot 1:27:08   Cheri Blauwet 1:54:02
2003 Results March 2, 2003
Open   Mark Yatich 2:09:52   Tatyana Pozdnyakova 2:29:40
Masters   Robert Leonardo (40) 2:40:46   Tatyana Pozdnyakova (48) 2:29:40
Wheelchair   Saúl Mendoza 1:27:07   Cheri Blauwet 1:50:06
2002 Results March 3, 2002
Open   Steven Ndungu 2:10:27   Lyubov Denisova 2:28:49
Masters   Jose Díaz (46) 2:41:07   Tatyana Pozdnyakova (47) 2:30:26
Wheelchair   Ernst Van Dyk 1:28:44   Ariadne Hernandez 1:55:01
2001 Results March 4, 2001
Open   Steven Ndungu 2:13:13   Elana Paramonova 2:35:58
Masters   Raymond Baradas (41) 2:38:43   Teresa Boches-Saban (44) 3:05:20
Wheelchair   Saúl Mendoza 1:32:50   Ariadne Hernandez 2:04:30
2000 Results March 5, 2000
Open   Benson Mutiisya Mbithi 2:11:55   Jane Salumäe 2:33:33
Masters   Marco Ortíz (50) 2:27:33   Judy Maguire (41) 2:58:21
Wheelchair   Saúl Mendoza 1:42:33   Jean Driscoll 2:12:17
1999 Results March 14, 1999
Open   Simon Bor 2:09:25   Irina Bogachova 2:30:32
Masters   Federico Yax 2:32:19   Judy Maguire 2:54:12
Wheelchair   Saúl Mendoza 1:28:43   Deanna Sodoma 2:03:44
1998 Results March 29, 1998
Open   Zebedayo Bayo 2:11:21   Lornah Kiplagat 2:33:58
Masters   Peter Rischl 2:31:53   Candy Clark 3:08:56
Wheelchair   Saúl Mendoza 1:29:57   Kazu Hatanaka 1:56:55
1997 Results March 2, 1997
Open   El-Maati Chaham 2:14:16   Lornah Kiplagat 2:33:50
Masters   Yoshio Ishizuka 2:36:14   Philomena Chandra 3:03:10
Wheelchair   Saúl Mendoza 1:37:27   Louise Sauvage 1:49:22
1996 Results March 3, 1996
Open   Jose Luis Molina 2:13:23   Lyubov Klochko 2:30:30
Masters   Hugo Juárez 2:33:26   Lorraine Gersitz 3:11:50
Wheelchair   Heinz Frei 1:27:10   Jean Driscoll 1:46:09
1995 Results March 5, 1995
Open   Rolando Vera 2:11:39  [note 1] Nadia Prasad 2:29:48
Masters   John Bednarksi 2:36:40   Alfreda Iglehart 3:13:29
Wheelchair   Paul Wiggins 1:36:06   Jean Driscoll 1:52:51
1994 Results March 6, 1994
Open   Paul Pilkington 2:12:13   Olga Appell 2:28:12
Masters   Gregg Horner 2:34:20   Emma Scaunich 2:37:05
Wheelchair   Phillipe Couprie and   Paul Wiggins[35] 1:34:52   Connie Hansen 1:48:58
1993 Results March 7, 1993
Open   Joselido Rocha 2:14:28   Lyubov Klochko 2:39:48
Masters   Dennis Bock 2:36:32   Candy Dodge 3:03:10
Wheelchair   Jan Mattern 1:32:15   Connie Hansen 1:51:26
1992 Results March 1, 1992
Open   John Treacy 2:12:29   Madina Biktagirova 2:26:23
Masters   Manuel García Pérez 2:25:35   Sandra Marshall 3:02:47
Wheelchair   Jim Knaub 1:40:53   Connie Hansen 1:56:17
1991 Results March 3, 1991
Open   Mark Plaatjes 2:10:29   Cathy O'Brien 2:29:38
Masters   John Campbell (42) 2:14:33   Priscilla Webb 2:40:20
Wheelchair   Jim Knaub 1:40:43   Connie Hansen 1:57:11
1990 Results March 4, 1990
Open   Pedro Ortíz 2:11:54   Julie Isphording 2:32:25
Masters   John Campbell (41) 2:20:15   Graziela Striuli 3:26:48
Wheelchair   Moustapha Badid 1:45:40   Ann Cody-Morris 2:03:49
1989 Results March 5, 1989
Open   Art Boileau 2:13:01   Zoya Ivanova 2:34:42
Masters   John Campbell (40) 2:17:51   Carol Mather 3:02:57
Wheelchair   Jim Knaub 1:46:52   Candace Cable-Brookes 2:07:03
1988 Results March 6, 1988
Open   Martín Mondragón 2:10:19   Blanca Jaime 2:36:11
Masters   Bob Schlau (40)[36] 2:19:27   Harolene Walters (47) 2:54:18
Wheelchair   Bob Molinatti 1:56:35   Candace Cable-Brookes 2:19:38
1987 Results March 1, 1987
Open   Art Boileau 2:13:08   Nancy Ditz 2:35:24
Masters   Victor Mora García 2:19:44   Barbara Fituze 2:47:21
Wheelchair   Ted Vance 1:54:06   Candace Cable-Brookes 2:05:45
1986 Results March 9, 1986
Open   Ric Sayre 2:12:59   Nancy Ditz 2:36:27
Masters   Kjell-Erik Ståhl (40) 2:19:20   Harolene Walters (45)[37] 2:57:26
Wheelchair   Bob Molinatti 2:16:36   Candace Cable-Brookes 2:23:10
  1. ^ From New Caledonia, a territory of France

Notes

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  1. ^ The race was also known as the "City of Los Angeles Marathon" in 1973 and 1974.[2][3]
  2. ^ National Masters News reported that "a well-intending police car, leading headstarting wheelchair participants, got out of runners' sight after the first quarter-mile, uphill, hence, the missed turn", and noted that the race director's "nimble adjustments of markers and barriers prevented further calamity", resulting in finishers running at least 26 mi 411 yd (42.219 km), and the leaders running around 26 mi 1,160 yd (42.904 km).[6] One runner mentioned that many ended up jumping over a 3 ft (1 m) cable in a parking lot due to the error.[6]
  3. ^ Ilyina stated that she was looking for a restroom when she ran into a gas station.[7][8][9] A referee stated that this gave her an advantage of at least 25 yd (23 m).[7]
  4. ^ In an effort to publicize the new route, marathon executives tapped Division of Labor, a San Francisco based ad agency to create a campaign dubbed "A Landmark Every Mile".[17] It featured a quick succession of shots of the numerous iconic sites along the route. The campaign helped the marathon sell out for the first time in history.
  5. ^ Frank McCourt, the owner of the marathon, once owned the Los Angeles Dodgers.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Los Angeles Marathon". www.arrs.run. Archived from the original on November 27, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  2. ^ "Ml_1973". arrs.run. Archived from the original on November 27, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  3. ^ "Ml_1974". arrs.run. Archived from the original on November 27, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  4. ^ "Ml_1972". Archived from the original on November 27, 2020.
  5. ^ "Long run for the money - Sports Illustrated Vault". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on November 27, 2020. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  6. ^ a b c NMN May 1933 mastershistory.org p. 25
  7. ^ a b c d "Archived copy". apnews.com. Archived from the original on November 27, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  8. ^ "Disqualified Runner Was in Predicament". Los Angeles Times. March 3, 1997. Archived from the original on November 27, 2020.
  9. ^ "Gas Station Stop Costs Russian Victory". Deseret News. March 3, 1997. Archived from the original on November 27, 2020.
  10. ^ "Dodgers owner McCourt buys rights to L.A. Marathon, to switch race's date". ESPN. September 25, 2008. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  11. ^ a b c d e "LA Marathon rescheduled for May due to coronavirus". Los Angeles Daily News. November 25, 2020. Archived from the original on November 26, 2020.
  12. ^ a b "LA Marathon: 1½ years after 'no reason to cancel' debate, is it safe to run on Sunday?". Daily News. November 6, 2021. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  13. ^ Xia, Rosanna; Miller, Leila; Ormseth, Matthew (March 8, 2020). "L.A. Marathon goes on despite coronavirus fears: Masks, sanitizer and humor amid the water bottles". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  14. ^ "COVID-19 Update". Archived from the original on November 26, 2020.
  15. ^ Service • •, City News (March 17, 2024). "Kenyans dominate LA Marathon in second-largest field in history". NBC Los Angeles. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  16. ^ "The Course | Los Angeles Marathon". www.lamarathon.com. Archived from the original on March 8, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  17. ^ "Division of Labor | Top Ad Agency | Sports marketing | SF".
  18. ^ a b "Our History | SRLA". Archived from the original on December 1, 2010. Retrieved December 21, 2010.
  19. ^ "Programs". March 27, 2024. Archived from the original on March 28, 2024.
  20. ^ "Student Marathon Training". SRLA. March 27, 2024. Archived from the original on March 28, 2024.
  21. ^ Boisvert, Yves (September 13, 2010). "Cyberpresse:Étudiants dans la course". La Presse.
  22. ^ "From 'legacy runners' to Kenyan fans, voices from the 2024 LA Marathon". Daily News. March 18, 2024. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  23. ^ "Xact Results". results2.xacte.com. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  24. ^ "Xact Results". results2.xacte.com. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  25. ^ "Xact Results". results2.xacte.com. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  26. ^ "Xact Results". results2.xacte.com. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  27. ^ Miller, Jeff (March 8, 2020). "Bayelign Teshager and Margaret Muriuki win 2020 L.A. Marathon". Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, California. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  28. ^ "LA Marathon Results". Xacte.com. Michigan: Xacte. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  29. ^ a b c "Xact Results". Results2.xacte.com. Retrieved April 2, 2019.
  30. ^ a b c "Skechers Performance Los Angeles Marathon Live Results!". Los Angeles Live Tracking. Retrieved April 2, 2019.
  31. ^ Chavarría, Fanny (March 19, 2017). "Dos atletas de Kenia ganan el Maratón de Los Ángeles 2017" [Two Kenyan athletes win the 2017 Los Angeles Marathon]. Univision.com (in Spanish). Los Angeles. Retrieved August 13, 2017.
  32. ^ "Mar 17 Newswire: Aleksandra Duliba wins the 2013 L.A. Marathon". Los Angeles Times. March 9, 2014. Archived from the original on March 29, 2014. Retrieved June 15, 2014.
  33. ^ "Mar 17 Newswire: Aleksandra Duliba wins the 2013 L.A. Marathon". Runinfinity.com. March 17, 2013. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
  34. ^ Holmes, Baxter (March 18, 2012). "Fatuma Sado wins women's L.A. Marathon, Simon Njoroge wins men's". Los Angeles Times.
  35. ^ Springer, Steve (March 7, 1994). "A Team, to the End". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 4, 2012.
  36. ^ Master's History 1933
  37. ^ "ARRS - Runner: Harolene Walters McLean". more.arrs.run. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
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