Thousands run in Los Angeles Marathon

May 26, 1:15 AMLA Headlines ExaminerTad Cronn

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Wesley Korir comes in first for the men's footrace, with a course record. (AP)

Worries about switching the date of the Los Angeles Marathon from March to Memorial Day proved ill-founded as thousands of runners were met by perfect weather.

Runners, walkers, bikers and wheelchair racers from around the world descended on downtown for the annual event that took them past some of the city's most famous landmarks and most diverse neighborhoods.

Amid a carnival-like atmosphere that featured balloons, streamers and funny costumes, some participants vied for the prize, and many just strived to finish.

Aaron Gordian of Mexico won the men's wheelchair race with a time of 1:31:19. Wesley Korir, of Kenya, captured the men's footrace in a course record of 2:08:24. Among the women, who were given a 17-minute head start, Tatiana Petrova of Russia finished first in 2:25:59.

The marathon had been moved by city officials from March to Memorial Day because of complaints from religious leaders that marathon road closures kept congregants from being able to get to services.

Runners complained that moving the date would upset training schedules and possibly make it too hot to run, but Monday's weather couldn't have been better, with cool temperatures, a light overcast and little wind.

The City Council will decide later whether to move the marathon back to March next year.