LA Marathon to host US marathon championships

The 30th edition of the LA Marathon is seeing more elites than ever before in the event’s history.

This year the event will be the host of the U.S. marathon championships. Sixty-one American elites will be in attendance. That includes notable running couple Ryan and Sara Hall.

Ryan is a two-time Olympian and, with a 2:04:58 PB, holds the record for the fastest American marathon. He holds the record for the half as well.

International elites in the men’s race will include 15 runners with a sub-2:12:30 bests. Last year’s runner up, Lani Rutto, will be in attendance as well.

The race is also known for its popular gender challenge. Women start earlier than the man and the men try to run them down. The overall winner – whoever crossed the line first – takes home the $50,000 prize.

The March 15 race will be Sara Hall’s marathon debut. She’s had a winning streak in the half and set a 1:10:45 PB last month. She’s up against Janet Bawcom, Nuta Olaru and Ethiopia’s Misiker Demissie and Konjit Biruk.