Nobody really expected the 40th anniversary of the Los Angeles Marathon to be a history-making afternoon for American distance running. Most of the pre-race chatter was about the "Stadium to the Stars" course or how the 25,000-strong field—the second largest in the event's history—would handle the rolling hills from Dodger Stadium to Century City. But then Matt Richtman happened.
Matt Richtman didn't just win; he demolished the script.
Crossing the finish line at 2:07:56, the 25-year-old from Illinois became the first American man to win the LA Marathon since 1994. That’s a 31-year drought. Gone. In only his second ever attempt at the 26.2-mile distance, Richtman put the world on notice with a time that ranks him among the fastest Americans to ever lace up.
Breaking Down the LA Marathon Results 2025
It was cold. 46 degrees at the start. Perfect for running, honestly, but it kept the elite pack tight for the first half. The men’s race was a tactical game of chess until Richtman decided he’d seen enough. Around the 16th mile, he surged. He clocked a 4:38 mile that basically snapped the elastic of the lead group.
By the time he hit 30K, he was dropping 14:37 splits. He wasn't just running; he was flying.
Athanas Kioko of Kenya tried to give chase, but the gap was too wide. Kioko eventually took second place, finishing nearly three minutes behind Richtman at 2:10:55. It’s rare to see a gap that large in a major city marathon these days. Moses Kiptoo Kurgat rounded out the podium in 2:13:12.
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The Women’s Elite Battle
On the women's side, things were much tighter. It came down to a gritty sprint in the final miles. Ethiopia's Tejinesh Gebisa Tulu took the crown, hitting the tape at 2:30:16.
She was shadowed the whole way.
Antonina Kwambai of Kenya was right on her heels, finishing a mere three seconds later at 2:30:19. If you blinked, you missed the move. Savannah Berry, representing the U.S. and running on home soil in California, grabbed third place with a solid 2:30:31. Berry’s performance was a huge bright spot for local fans who lined Santa Monica Boulevard.
The Chase and the Big Bonus
If you aren't familiar with the "Marathon Chase," it’s basically LA’s version of a head start. The elite women are released several minutes before the elite men. The first person to cross the finish line—regardless of gender—picks up an extra $10,000.
In 2025, the men finally reclaimed the bonus.
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Richtman caught the women’s lead pack late in the race. He blew past them to secure the win and the cash. Before this year, women had held a 10-4 advantage in the Chase format. Richtman’s 2:07:56 was just too fast for the women’s lead time of 2:30:16 to hold him off, even with the head start.
Top 10 Men's Professional Finishers
- Matt Richtman (USA) – 2:07:56
- Athanas Kioko (KEN) – 2:10:55
- Moses Kiptoo Kurgat (KEN) – 2:13:12
- Sammy Rotich – 2:13:29
- Kenneth Kemboi Rotich – 2:20:17
- Asefa Bekele – 2:20:36
- Esteban Prado – 2:21:33
- Sergey Sushchikh – 2:21:50
- Paxton Smith – 2:21:59
- Harvey Chilcott – 2:23:50
Top 10 Women's Professional Finishers
- Tejinesh Gebisa Tulu (ETH) – 2:30:16
- Antonina Kwambai (KEN) – 2:30:19
- Savannah Berry (USA) – 2:30:31
- Rita Jelagat – 2:32:19
- Mamitu Balcha Hey – 2:44:05
- Alejandra Santiago – 2:49:52
- Caitlin Healey – 2:55:46
- Elizabeth Ben-Ishai – 2:57:13
- Ashley Litoff – 2:58:22
- Jessica Gimbel – 3:10:51
Wheelchair Division Dominance
We have to talk about Francisco Sanclemente. The Colombian athlete secured a historic three-peat in the men’s push-rim wheelchair division, finishing in 1:38:09. On the women’s side, legendary Japanese racer Wakako Tsuchida reminded everyone why she’s a multi-time Boston champion by taking the win in 2:03:56.
More Than Just Fast Times
The 2025 race felt different. It was the 40th anniversary, but it also served as a moment of healing for the region. Following the devastating wildfires that hit Southern California earlier in the year, the marathon became a "symbol of resilience." You could feel it in the crowds.
Over 25,000 people started at Dodger Stadium.
Interestingly, about 40% of the entire field were first-timers. That’s a massive influx of new runners. There were also 93 "Legacy Runners"—those legendary humans who have completed every single LA Marathon since it started back in 1986.
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The McCourt Foundation, which organizes the race, reported that the event generated over $6.7 million for neurology research. Since its inception, the race has helped raise more than $72 million for various charities. Honestly, that’s just as impressive as a sub-2:10 marathon.
What the Experts are Saying
Toni Reavis, a veteran voice in the running world, noted that Richtman’s win was "dominating." It wasn't just a win; it was a statement. Richtman’s high school coach, Andy Drendel, mentioned he knew the win was coming as early as mile 13. "I've seen him do this move 50 times," Drendel told reporters.
The strategy was simple but brutal: move early, break the group, and don't look back.
How to Find Your Own Results
If you were one of the 21,444 official finishers (give or take), you probably want to see your splits. You can find the full LA marathon results 2025 through the following channels:
- Official Website: Head to the McCourt Foundation’s result portal.
- Search by Bib: You can plug in your name or bib number to get a full breakdown of your 5K, 10K, and half-marathon splits.
- Finisher Certificates: These are usually available for download about 48 hours after the race.
- FinisherPix: If you want to see those photos of you looking (hopefully) heroic at the finish line, they are indexed by bib number as well.
Actionable Next Steps for Runners
Whether you crushed your PR or barely crawled across the finish line in Century City, here is what you should be doing right now:
- Audit Your Nutrition: If you hit the wall at mile 20, look at your carb intake during the race. Most people don't take enough. Aim for 60-90g of carbs per hour for your next one.
- Active Recovery: Don't just sit on the couch. Go for a 20-minute walk. It keeps the blood flowing and helps the muscles repair faster.
- Check Your Shoes: If you ran in "super shoes," remember they usually lose their "pop" after 150-200 miles. If you did your training and the marathon in one pair, it’s time to retire them.
- Register Early for 2026: The 2026 LA Marathon is scheduled for March 8. It sells out faster every year, and early bird pricing is usually significantly cheaper.
The 2025 LA Marathon was a reminder that distance running in the U.S. is entering a new era. Matt Richtman might be the name everyone remembers, but the 25,000 people who braved the hills are the ones who make the race what it is. If you're planning on joining the field next year, start your base training now. Those hills in Silver Lake don't get any flatter.