For the first time in 31 years, an American has won the Los Angeles Marathon.
Matt Richtman, a native in Illinois, was the victory in what was the second largest field in the history of the race, per. ABC7. He ran 2:07:56 and wore an American flag after crossing the finish line.
Ethiopia’s Tejinesh Gebisa Tulu won the women’s race at. 2:30:16.
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Koichiro Kodama, President and CEO of Asics America, celebrates with Matt Richtman after winning the Los Angeles Marathon in Westfield Century City on March 16, 2025. (Luke Hales/Getty Images)
“It’s definitely a surprise,” Richtman admitted after winning the race per. ABC7. “You know I got to feel really good; it’s really hard to judge where you are stacked up against competition, but it was a really good group out there today and I was really happy to run with these guys and then eventually win it.”
Richtman was ahead of Kenya’s Athanas Kioko, who finished in second place with a time of 2:10:55, while colleague Kenyan Mose Kiptoo ended in third place at. 2:13:13.
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Richtman, who was Montana State University Bobcat in college, added that he really “didn’t have too much of a strategy” to get away with the victory.
“The first half I just wanted to stay in that group wouldn’t really push the pace or lead or something similar, just kind of stay, feel it out because it’s a challenging course.
Matt Richtman crosses the finish line and wins Los Angeles Marathon on March 16, 2025. (Luke Hales/Getty Images)
“The whole race. I ran with a little bit of fear. It’s hard when you can’t see what’s going on behind you.”
Fear clearly pushed Richtman into the equipment he needed to keep the pace and cross the finish line first.
Richtman sent his appreciation out to those in the town of Los Angeles, who he cheered him all over the race.
Matt Richtman celebrates after crossing the finish line at the Los Angeles Marathon on March 16, 2025. (Luke Hales/Getty Images)
“It’s such a fantastic day, you know, 40 -th anniversary (of the race), there are so many older runners out here, and the crowd out of her was amazing,” he said. “There were people throughout the course and it really helps. It’s astonishing how much a quantity can change the course of what you’re doing.”
