Korir and Petrova Claim Wins in the 2009 Los Angeles Marathon
Eric Richardson
[Flickr]
Russian Tatyana Petrova won the women's division of the 24th Los Angeles Marathon, finishing in 2:25:56.
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — Kenyan Wesley Korir won the 24th Los Angeles Marathon this morning, finishing in a race-record 2:08:23. He passed women's winner Tatyana Petrova near the 24-mile-mark to claim the win in the gender challenge, which featured a $100,000 prize.
Petrova ran her marathon in 2:25:56, the third best time posted in the women's category.
The wheelchair division win was claimed by Aaron Gordian of Mexico City, who posted a time of 1:21:20.
Thousands of marathon runners will continue to stream back into Downtown Los Angeles as the morning progresses. Approximately 15,000 runners took part in the 2009 race, the first to take place on Memorial Day. Race organizers hope to move the race back to March next year.
Jasmijn on May 26, 2009, at 08:57AM – #1
This is the first year I've been able to watch the marathon and I'm very glad I got the opportunity. The cool weather was marvelous. I have such admiration for all 15,000 of the participants, pressing on for over 26 miles. Wow, what determination. So many of the younger kids who ran with Students Run LA went by well after the 6 hour mark but they kept on plugging and didn't give up. That dedication speaks well for their future.