LOS ANGELES - November 7 - 2021 - It had been 609 days since runners, walkers and wheelchair athletes took to the streets of Los Angeles for the city’s iconic marathon.
 
After the long delay caused by the coronavirus pandemic, nearly 13,000 participants showed up Sunday morning at Dodger Stadium for the 36th annual Los Angeles Marathon. On a Chamber of Commerce running morning – 58 degrees at the start with blanket cloud cover – the day unfolded into a celebration.
 
Kenya’s John Korir, who was passed with 150 meters to go in the 2019 race to finish a disappointing second, won the men’s event in 2 hours, 12 minutes, 48 seconds. Natasha Cockram of Wales, who finished 13th five weeks ago at the London Marathon, made a quick recovery to win the women’s race in 2:33:17.
 
In the early morning chill, with the runners huddled where Mookie Betts, Clayton Kershaw and Justin Turner call home, Cockram sensed the celebratory vibe.
 
“Definitely on the start line it was great to be back out with everyone around us,” said the 28-year-old Cockram. “After the long COVID gap, it was great to see so many people out supporting us. A marathon is always going to be tough. But it's an enjoyable pain.”
 
No one celebrated the finish with more emotion than Korir. Two years ago he began making the sign of the cross with 200 meters to go in what turned out to be a premature celebration. Instead, he was passed with 150 meters remaining by fellow Kenyan Elisha Barno, who outsprinted him to the finish line.
 
This time, Korir took no chances. At about Mile 18 he pulled away from second place finisher Edwin Kimutai.
 
“The guy was too slow,” said Korir. “I had to push.”
 
Miles later, he glanced back and no one was in sight.
 
“In 2019, I didn’t know the guy was following me close,” said Korir. “I made sure I opened a big gap so nobody would pass me.”
 
Kimutai finished a distant second in 2:18:02.
 
Upon crossing the finish line, the 24-year-old Korir demonstrated how much the redemptive win meant.
 
First he pounded his chest. Then he dropped to his hands and knees, pressed his forehead to the pavement and pounded the ground with both hands.
 
Another reason the win was meaningful to Korir: His 40-year-old brother Wesley is a two-time Los Angeles Marathon champion.
 
“Now our family is so happy today,” said Korir. “This is three times our family winning this race. We are happy now.”
 
Cockram ran five weeks ago in London and intentionally took the pace out slow, not wanting to risk fatigue setting in.
 
“I wasn’t sure how my body was going to be feeling after London,” said Cockram. “About halfway, I felt sure and comfortable. I kind of wish I’d gone earlier. (She separated herself about Mile 18.) I didn’t want to wait any longer. I dropped the hammer and went with it.”
 
Antonia Kwambai finished second to Cockham in 2:37:36.
 
David Rodarte was one of the many first-time marathoners in the field. A counselor at Cerritos Community College, Rodarte, 37, is paralyzed from the waist down after a car accident when he was 19.
 
He didn’t start racing until one month ago.
 
“Just to try something new,” he said. “Be motivated. Stay active.”
 
Rodarte won the men’s hand cycle class in 2 hours, 1 minute, 18 seconds.
 
The 36th Los Angeles Marathon featured a new course, dubbed 'The Stadium to the Stars', finishing at the Avenue of the Stars in Century City.
 
Korir and Cockram gave the new tour of L.A. big thumbs up.
 
“The new course is good,” said Korir. Noting he ran much of the second half by himself, he added, “I enjoyed it more the second half.”
 
“It was hillier than I expected,” said Cockram. “I thought L.A. was flat. I quickly realized that wasn’t the case. But I love being out on the streets of Los Angeles.”

Further information about the 2021 Los Angeles Marathon presented by ASICS can be found online at LAMarathon.com and follow along on social media @LAMarathon.