Los Angeles Marathon 2009
The Los Angeles Marathon is an annual event that has been held since 1986. Typically run on the first Sunday in March, the race has been pushed back to Memorial Day. In 2009, it was on May 25, Monday.
More than 17,000 started the race. The course followed a loop that began at 6th and Figueroa streets and ended at 5th and Flower streets. A splendid Finish Line Festival welcomed the runners who made it.
A shadow marathon was run by servicemen and women in Iraq. At noon Pacific Daylight Time on race day, about 400 troops ran the Camp Taji Memorial Day marathon. They ran at night because daytime temperatures in Iraq can reach over 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
Winners of the Los Angeles Marathon :
Men’s elite race: To the surprise of many, Wesley Korir of Kenya won the race in record time: 2 hours 8 minutes 24 seconds.
He won a 2009 Honda Accord EX-L and a total of $160,000 — $20,000 for winning, $40,000 for clocking under 2:09 and $100,000 for becoming the first runner — male or female — to finish.
Women’s elite race: Tatiana Petrova of Russia (#52). She is 26 years old and finished fourth in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the 2008 Beijing Olympics
She won $20,000 and a Honda Accord EX-L as well.
5:00 a.m.: Acura L.A. Bike Tour start 6:55 a.m.: Los Angeles Marathon wheelchair participant start 7:00 a.m.: Los Angeles Marathon hand-cycle start 7:07 a.m.: Los Angeles Marathon elite women's start 7:24 a.m.: Los Angeles Marathon field start 8:30 a.m.: Los Angeles Marathon 5k Run/Walk start 8:50 a.m.: Springfield Kids Marathon start 9:45 a.m.: Awards presentation at the Los Angeles Central Library
The Los Angeles Marathon is unique in offering the first person − man or woman – to cross the finish line a bonus of $100,000. That’s in addition to the $20,000 first prize and a Honda Accord EX-L awarded to the winner of both the men’s and women’s individual race.
TV SCHEDULE: NBC4 live air coverage from 7 AM to 10:30 AM
KABC radio broadcast on Talk Radio 790 AM
Universal Sports live global webcast
Sponsors of the LA Marathon include Springfield Water, Emerald Nuts, Gatorade, Clif Bar, Salonpas, Don Francisco’s Coffee, Michelob ULTRA, New Performance Nutrition