By Leonard COUTIN and Robin GOLDSWORTHY

On Sunday, the streets of Los Angeles were filled with some of the world’s most renowned and elite runners. The LA Marathon, celebrating its 34^th year, began at historic Dodger Stadium and ended 26.2 miles later at the Santa Monica Pier.

This year’s marathon saw a variety of entrants, from young to old, with strong performances by wheelchair participants and hand cyclists. Runners numbering approximately 24,000 from 66 countries were ready to take part in the famous Stadium to the Sea run.

Individuals choose to run this strenuous distance for a variety of personal reasons and in the name of their charitable institutions. Among these was La Cañada resident Mary Pinola.

Pinola has been running the LA Marathon for the last several years. She participates in the marathon as a fundraiser for her endowment fund, which provides grants to local education groups.

To qualify with an official time, the only requirement was to complete the course in 6.5 hours. Pinola finished in just under seven hours, taking 20^th place in class – a new record for her – and she was pleased with the results. She credits longtime marathon partner Chris Waldheim, who couldn’t make it this year, with encouraging her to the finish line.

“‘Take it one mile at a time’ Chris wrote in an email,” Pinola said. “I did just that. Every time there was a temptation to think about the entire challenge and become overwhelmed, I focused on his advice and watched for the mile markers, one mile at a time.”

Pinola also had support along the sidelines. One of her friends, Pilar Diaz, followed her progress using her smart phone, catching up with Pinola at about the 21^st mile. Pinola also credits fellow marathoner and local friend Ruth McNevin for her ongoing support during the race.

Pinola said that looking at other participants can be inspiring – and challenging.

“Last year, as I was going along, concentrating on trying to do my best, I looked over to see a man who passed me by, on his walker,” Pinola recalled with a laugh. “It was a reminder that we all can do whatever we set our minds to do.”

After learning of her record-breaking time, Waldheim sent a note of congratulations to Pinola.

         “Her 20^th in class is exceptional and something that only the top athletes in the race achieve,” Waldheim wrote. “Mary, we know that you push yourself to succeed and we admire and love you for that. Thank you for inspiring all of us! Rest well!”

2019 Top Performers

This year’s men’s race was challenging for the marathon veterans from Kenya and Mexico. Staying in close contact was most important for the lead runners, as well as gauging the right time to make the move for the lead position. Waiting until the last mile, Elisha Barno of Kenya secured his victory. Barno won in a record time of (2:11:45) followed closely by his countryman John Korir (2:11:52). Juan Luis Barrio, the 2017 winner from Mexico, crossed in third place (2:11:59). Kenya’s strength was also seen in Milton Rotich who placed fourth (2:12:42) and Lenya Weldon Kirui in fifth (2:13:24). In the masters division, USA’s Jesse Williams placed 41^st running 2:36:54 and Ingrid Walters 47^th 2:48:03.

         This year the women’s race saw spectators cheering and applauding as they witnessed one of the closest races in LA history. Ethiopian Askale Merachi won with a new course record of 2:24:11, beating the time of Lidiya Grigoryeva of Russia who in 2006 set the course record of 2:25:10.

Kenya placed two well-established runners once again on the stands with Cynthia Karimi in second (2:25:54) and Lucy Karimi third (2:26:15). Ukraine lead runner Olha Skypak placed fourth (2:30:33) followed by Jane Kibii of Kenya (2:32:12). Top USA runner Lindsey Anderson recorded a time of 2:32:44.

         The top five competitors in the men’s wheelchair division were Joshua Cassidy of Canada (01:31:47), followed by Tristan Smyth (01:38:33.8), also from Canada, then Josh George of USA (01:39:48.8), Krige Schabort of the USA (01:40:07.05) and Rafael Botello Jimenez from Spain (01:42:37.4).

         The top four winners in the women’s wheelchair division were from the USA: Katrina Gerhard (01:56:22.0), Jenna Fesemyer (02:04:13.9) and Michelle Wheller (01:10:29.6), Yen Hoang (02:11:27.3). In fifth was Ivonne Reyes Gomez (2:20:49.2) from Mexico.

  Leonard Coutin, robin goldsworthy