Young Runners and Global Athletes Join Together for the 41st LA Marathon
Over 27,000 Runners Set to Compete in 41st Los Angeles Marathon
More than 27,000 participants are registered for the 41st Los Angeles Marathon, set to take place this Sunday. This year’s runners hail from every U.S. state and 63 countries, according to the McCourt Foundation’s official results page for the marathon.
Among the diverse field, approximately 41% of participants are first-time marathon runners. Millennials and Gen Z athletes constitute about 79% of the competing demographic, with about 60% of entrants identifying as male and 40% as female. Participants range in age from 12 to 87.
Highlighting the event’s rich history, 86 "Legacy" runners will take the start line, each having completed all 41 editions of the Los Angeles Marathon. Their presence symbolizes the long-standing tradition of this iconic race.
In addition to seasoned athletes, the event will feature 3,472 students from the Los Angeles Unified School District. These young runners, part of the Students Run LA program, have dedicated several months to training for the full 26.2-mile race.
The elite field comprises 14 top athletes, evenly divided between male and female competitors. Among the female elite are defending champion Tejinesh Tulu from Ethiopia, three-time runner-up Antonina Kwambai of Kenya, and Makenna Myler, notable for her impressive 5:25 mile run while nine months pregnant.
On the men’s side, defending champion Matthew Ritchman from Illinois will return, alongside 2024 LAM champion Dominic Ngeno of Kenya and U.S. Army 2nd Lieutenant Elkanah Kibet, who has been deployed four times.
The marathon not only showcases athletic talent but also represents a community effort, with schools and organizations playing key roles in facilitating student participation. As the race day approaches, the spirit of the marathon continues to inspire both seasoned runners and newcomers alike.
