- First American male champion in 31 years
- Personal best time of 2 hours, 7 minutes, 56 seconds
- Outpaced Kenyan runners Athanas Kioko and Moses Kurgat
- Second marathon ever after Twin Cities debut
- Montana State All-American cross-country athlete
In a stunning display of endurance, Matt Richtman made history at the 40th Los Angeles Marathon, becoming the first American man to claim victory in over three decades. The 26.2-mile course, stretching from Dodger Stadium through iconic neighborhoods like Hollywood and Beverly Hills, culminated in Century City, where Richtman crossed the finish line with a personal record of 2:07:56. His win shattered expectations and marked a pivotal moment for U.S. distance running.
The race saw fierce competition from Kenyan athletes Athanas Kioko (2:10:55) and Moses Kurgat (2:13:13), but Richtman’s strategic mid-race surge at the halfway point proved decisive. Remarkably, this was only his second marathon following a fourth-place finish at the 2023 Twin Cities Marathon, where he clocked 2:10:47. I trusted my training and stayed patient,Richtman remarked post-race. When I took the lead, I knew I had to commit fully.
Richtman’s collegiate career at Montana State University laid the foundation for this achievement. As a 2022-23 All-American cross-country runner, he developed the mental toughness crucial for marathon success. His victory echoes Paul Pilkington’s 1994 win (2:12:13), bridging a generational gap in American marathon dominance.
In the women’s division, Ethiopia’s Tejinesh Tulu secured gold with a time of 2:30:16, narrowly defeating Kenya’s Antonina Kwambai (2:30:19). Utah’s Savannah Berry claimed third (2:30:31), building momentum after her 12th-place finish at the 2023 U.S. Olympic Trials.
This year’s LA Marathon underscores a resurgence in American distance running. Analysts note that homegrown victories boost youth participation by 18-24% historically, as seen after Shalane Flanagan’s 2017 NYC Marathon win. The event also generated an estimated $72 million for Los Angeles, highlighting marathons’ role in urban economic revitalization.
Endurance coaches emphasize Richtman’s trajectory as a model for emerging athletes. Balancing speed work with high-altitude training was key,explains elite trainer Carla Diaz. His transition from 10K races to marathons in 14 months shows meticulous planning.The LA Marathon’s 40-year legacy continues to elevate the city’s global sports profile, with its scenic route drawing 27,000 annual participants and 500,000 spectators.