LA Marathon Draws in Thousands of Runners

Ashley Paulson from Utah (L), the top American women's finisher in fourth, and Hosava Kretzmann of Arizona, the top American men's finisher in sixth celebrate at the Los Angeles Marathon in Los Angeles on March 19, 2023. Jackie Rios/NTD Television

Athletes from all over the world competed in the 38th annual Los Angeles Marathon March 19, with more than 20,000 participants undeterred by a light drizzle.

Jemel Yimer, of Ethiopia, came in first for men at 2 hours, 13 minutes.

“Everything is good. Thank you race organizers. Everything is good and I love America,” he said after finishing the race.

Jemal Yimer, of Ethiopia, wins the men's division of the Los Angeles Marathon in Los Angeles on March 19, 2023. Jackie Rios/NTD Television

Stacy Ndiwa, from Kenya, emerged as the victor in the women’s category finishing in 2 hours, 31 minutes.

The 26.2-mile course began at Dodger Stadium and went through various neighborhoods including downtown, Echo Park, Hollywood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Century City, Westwood, and Brentwood, looping back around through Westwood before finishing in Century City.

Stacy Ndiwa of Kenya wins the women's elite Los Angeles Marathon in Los Angeles on March 19, 2023. Meg Oliphant/Getty Images

Grace Kahura, also from Kenya, who came in third in the women’s category at 2 hours, 38 minutes, told The Epoch Times’ sister media NTD Television that she was competing against herself.

“I also have my family that keeps me going … [and] people who are cheering me on,” she said. “[T]hey keep me going and they motivate me when I’m running. I think about them a lot.”

Grace Kahura of Kenya finishes third in the Los Angeles Marathon in Los Angeles on March 19, 2023. Meg Oliphant/Getty Images

Arizona native Hosava Kretzmann was the sixth runner and first American male to cross the finish line.

“I was shocked when they told me that I was the first American,” he told NTD. “I’ve just never ever been at the top level of finishing like that.”

Kretzmann said this was his first marathon. Normally, he said, he participates in half marathons when he has time away from work.

“I think that’s what makes this really great, is anyone can do it,” he said.

Ashley Paulson crossed the finish line as the first female American and the fourth woman overall.

She told NTD the experience was “surreal.”

“I’ve heard it was a really hard hilly course,” she said. “I love that type of challenge. I’m really excited that I was able to do it today and be able to be the first American.”

There were 80 charitable organizations that partnered with the LA Marathon, with runners raising over $2.5 million for such nonprofits as the American Cancer Society and the Alzheimer’s Association.