On a rain soaked Sunday morning, just over 20,000 runners lined up for the start of the 2011 LA Marathon.
The "Stadium to Sea" course took runners from Dodger Stadium and through China Town, Hollywood and Beverly Hills before finishing at the beach in Santa Monica.
Markos Geneti, 26, of Ethiopia dominated the men's field, pulling into the lead at mile 17 and never looking back. Geneti finished in 2:06:26, a new course record set in less than ideal conditions.
This was Geneti's debut at the 26.2 mile distance. Before this race, he was most well known for winning the bronze in in 3,000 meters at the 2004 IAAF World Indoor Championships.
Nicolas Kamakya, 26, of Kenya led for the first half of the race and ended up in second place with a 2:09:26. Laban Moiben, also of Kenya, was third in 2:13:12. Two-time defending champ Wesley Korir had a disappointing day, finishing fourth in 2:13:23.
In the women's division, Buzunesh Deba of Ethiopia took the lead at mile 22 and finished first in 2:26:34. Deba is coming off a stellar 2010, where she won both Grandma's Marathon and the Twin Cities Marathon.
Amy Hastings, in her first marathon, was second today in 2:27:03. Hastings, 27, came in seventh place in January at the 2011 USA Half-Marathon Championships.
Hastings' time not only qualifies her for the 2011 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in Houston next January, but also proves she'll be a top contender for the team, along with Kara Goucher, Shalane Flanagan and possibly Deena Kastor.
Check here for more on Goucher's results at today's NYC Half marathon.
Hastings raced the 5,000 and the 10,000 at the 2008 Olympic Trials. A former standout at Arizona State, Hastings now runs for the Mammoth Track Club, and is coached by Terrence Mahon.
Mare Dibaba, 21, of Ethiopia was third today in the women's division in 2:30:25.
The LA Marathon also hosts a "gender challenge," with a $100,000 bonus prize for the winner. The women were given a 17:03 lead this morning, but Geneti passed them at mile 20, at took home the bonus.
Check here for the complete results of the 2011 LA Marathon.
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