On a warm March morning under clear Southern California skies, more than 20,000 runners poured out of Dodger Stadium and into the streets of Los Angeles for the 2026 ASICS Los Angeles Marathon. The annual race, now in its 41st year, once again transformed the city into a 26.2-mile celebration of endurance, culture, and community.
What makes the Los Angeles Marathon unique isn’t just the distance. It’s the way the course unfolds like a guided tour through the city itself. Runners pass through Downtown Los Angeles, climb past Echo Park, move along Hollywood Boulevard, and cruise through Beverly Hills and Brentwood before the finish line appears in Century City along Santa Monica Boulevard. The route — known as the “Stadium-to-the-Stars” course — captures the full personality of Los Angeles in a single morning.
Along the way, more than 100 cheer stations kept the energy alive. Local running clubs, nonprofit organizations, and charity partners lined the streets with music, signs, and encouragement, turning neighborhoods into impromptu block parties.
A Historic Finish in the Elite Men’s Race
The most dramatic moment of the day came in the final meters of the elite men’s race.
American runner Nathan Martin surged forward in a last-second sprint to win in 2:11:18, edging Kenya’s Michael Kimani Kamau by the slimmest of margins after 26.2 miles. The finish was so close that Martin said he wasn’t sure he had won until officials confirmed it.
“I didn’t know if I had it,” Martin said after the race. “I just kept fighting and trying to close the gap.”
Martin’s victory carried historic significance. With the win, he became the first U.S.-born Black runner to win a major city marathon since Ted Corbitt in the mid-20th century, according to the National Black Marathoners Association. Kenya’s Enyew Nigat finished third in 2:14:23.
Cherono Claims Victory on International Women’s Day
In the women’s professional race, Priscah Cherono of Kenya delivered a strong, controlled performance to win in 2:25:20. The 45-year-old mother of three gradually separated from the lead pack during the second half of the race and maintained her pace through the finish.
Her win came with an added twist. Cherono also captured The Marathon Chase, a special challenge where elite women receive a head start over the men based on previous race times. This year, the women began 15 minutes and 45 seconds ahead, and Cherono crossed the finish line before any of the male competitors — earning an additional $10,000 bonus.
The victory carried symbolic weight as the race coincided with International Women’s Day. American Kellyn Taylor finished second in 2:27:36, with Kenya’s Antonina Kwambai placing third in 2:28:50.
Wheelchair and Nonbinary Division Winners
The marathon also delivered strong performances in its other divisions. Southern California native Miguel Jimenez Vergara of Chula Vista won the men’s wheelchair race in 1:42:12, while Hannan Babalola of Nigeria claimed the women’s wheelchair title in 1:33:42, marking her third win in four years. In the nonbinary division, Cal Calamia secured first place in 2:49:17, their second victory in Los Angeles after winning the race in 2024.
Marathon Weekend Energy Across Los Angeles
In the days leading up to race day, Los Angeles buzzed with activity.
The HOKA Light House pop-up on Melrose Avenue became a hub for the city’s running community ahead of the marathon. Hosted by the performance footwear brand, the activation featured shakeout runs and a community space where runners gathered to refuel and connect.
The event also highlighted the debut of HOKA’s Cielo X1 3.0, the brand’s lightest super shoe to date — giving marathoners and enthusiasts a chance to experience the next generation of racing footwear just days before the starting gun.
Meanwhile, Marathon Weekend also included the LA 5K and the two-day Lifestyle Expo at Dodger Stadium, which drew tens of thousands of attendees and featured more than 100 exhibitors.
Looking Ahead to 2027
As runners crossed the finish line in Century City — some celebrating personal records, others simply relieved to be done — the marathon once again reminded Angelenos what makes the event special.
It’s not just a race.
It’s a moment when an entire city shows up, cheers together, and moves forward — one mile at a time.
The ASICS Los Angeles Marathon will return on March 7, 2027.
For more information, please visit LAMarathon.com and follow the event on Strava, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn.
Photo credits: Photo courtesy of LA Marathon
