Kenya’s Priscah Cherono led from Mile 1 to 26.2 in a run-away victory in the 2026 Los Angeles Marathon women’s pro race.
Cherono, who represented Kenya in the 5000 meters at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, never seemed threatened after jumping to the front after the race’s start and Dodger Stadium. The 45-year-old crossed the finish line in Century City at 2:25:18.31 in her second professional marathon.
The marathon features a race within a race that means a bonus for Cherono. The elite women started 15:45 ahead of the elite men, with the overall first finisher receiving a $10,000 bonus.
“I’m so happy, I won the race,” Cherono, a mother of three, said. “That’s so good for me, the course was so good.
“I’m only 45, but I am feeling I am OK.”
American Kellyn Taylor, 39, was second in a time of 2:27:36:00. Antonina Kwambai of Kenya was third in 2:28:49.09.
The Women’s Pro Podium
🥇 Priscah Cherono 🇰🇪 (Bib #8) 2:25:18.31
🥈 Kellyn Taylor 🇺🇸 (Bib #10) 2;27:36:00
🥉 Antonina Kwambai 🇰🇪 (Bib #2) 2:28:49.09 #ASICSLAMarathon
— Los Angeles Marathon (@lamarathon) March 8, 2026
“I was just kind of hanging on for dear life,” said Taylor. “I feel like that’s the nature of this course: You just kind of hang on and grind until you get to the finish and hope that nobody passes you.”
In the men’s race, American Nathan Martin used a powerful finishing kick to chase down Michael Kamau with the finish line in sight, claiming victory in the closest-ever LA Marathon finish.
Martin’s time was 2:11:16.50, the same as Kamau’s on the preliminary results sheet. Enyew Nigat of Ethiopia was third with a time of 2:14:22.22.
Martin became the second American man to win the Los Angeles Marathon, joining 2025 winner Matthew Ritchman.