One after another, and to no one’s surprise, Kenyan marathoners streamed to the finish line at the LA Marathon held on March 20, in California.
Of the six top LA marathoners in men and women competitions, 4 were Kenyan.
John Korir, 25, maintained his title for a second consecutive year, finishing the race with an impressive time of 2:09.08. He was followed closely by his compatriot Edwin Kimutai. 29 at time 2:10.43.
Ethiopia’s Berhanu Bekele Bergha was third in the elite men’s competition.
“Kenyans have dominated long-distance races since the 1968 Olympic marathon in Mexico where Naftali Temu stole the show from the unsuspecting Mamo Worlde of Ethiopia to win the gold medal. Today’s dominance of Kenyans is yet another confirmation that Magical Kenya is truly the home of champions.”
James Omosa, Charge d’affaires, Kenya Consulate, L.A.
Korir posted an impressive 4.55 pace per mile, a full 4 seconds faster than his second competitor and almost 37 seconds faster than Delvin Meringor, who won the women’s competition.
Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge is the Worlds Marathon record holder, with a time of 2 hours, 2 minutes, and 40 seconds. (2:2.40).
Meringor won the women’s competition with a time of 2:25.04. She also won the race challenge of the day and earned a bonus of $10,000.
The competition set up a gender challenge where female marathoners started the race 18 minutes ahead of the men. Meringor held onto the lead to the last minute, edging off Korir, who was almost catching up to her.
Last year’s runner-up Antonina Kwambai finished second again, and Ethiopia’s Birukyayit Degefa came 3rd, finishing the race 2:31.28.
Kenyans in the Los Angeles area, led by Kenyan Consulate Charge d’affaires James Omosa, showed up in Kenyan gear to cheer the runners.
“Kenyans have dominated long-distance races since the 1968 Olympic marathon in Mexico where Naftali Temu stole the show from the unsuspecting Mamo Worlde of Ethiopia to win the gold medal,” Omosa said. “Today’s dominance of Kenyans is yet another confirmation that Magical Kenya is truly the home of champions.”
Tyler McCandless was the top US runner, finishing 4th with a time of 2:15.18.
Amanda Philips from the US finished 5, with a time of 2:35.07, becoming the top female American to finish the race.
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