Former Commonwealth Games 10,000m silver medallist, Stacy Ndiwa defended her title at the 39th edition of the Los Angeles Marathon on Sunday (18) in Los Angeles, California, U.S.
The 31 year-old was among the leading pack that included United States, Makena Morley and Belarus’ Volka “Olga” Mazuronak who finished in fifth-place at Tokyo and Rio Olympics, and Ethiopia’s Atsede Bayisha.
Ndiwa who knew the course very well, waited patiently until the last mile when she striked hard leaving Mazuronak fighting for her breath as pulled further to win the race by 20 seconds and shave off 5:32 from last years’ time.
“I defended my title so I’m happy,” Ndiwa said. “Thank you, L.A. for inviting me again.”
Ndiwa was excited to return to the streets of LA after winning last year’s race in 2:31.00. She hinted at returning in 2025 to go for a three-peat.
“I’m so happy about the bonus that I won again this year so I say thank you so much LA Marathon,” Ndiwa concluded.
Mazuronak who is the 2018 European Marathon champion, was left with no other option but to settle in second place in 2:25.48 with Bayisha wrapping up the podium three finishes in 2:25.57.
Former Košice Peace Marathon champion Sichala Kumeshi of Ethiopia and United States Makena Morley finished in fourth and fifth place in respective time of 2:27.06 and 2:30.24.
The race course record of 2:24.11 set five years ago by Ethiopia’s Askale Merachi remains standing.
Ndiwa pocketed $6,000 as prize money and $10,000 Marathon Chase bonus.
John Vaselyne is the founder of Athletics News. Africa’s only Independent Athletics News website. He has covered World U18 and U20 Championships, World Cross Country Championships, Four Continental Tour Gold Series, Wanda Diamond League. He has passion for the Sport and has over seven years experience in this area of sport. He is also the Leading Athletics Pundit in the Country, having been hosted in ALL leading TV stations in Kenya
