Matthew Richtman is the first American to win the Los Angeles Marathon in 31 years

Matthew Richtman won the 40th annual Los Angeles Marathon, becoming the first American to win the title in 31 years.

He clocked a personal best of 2:07.56 hours on the course that started at Dodger Stadium and wound through downtown, Hollywood, Beverly Hills and Brentwood before finishing in Century City.

Athanas Kioko (Kenya) was second in 2:10.55 hours, and his compatriot Moses Kiptoo Kurgat was third in 2:13.13.

“I put my foot on the gas and went with it”, said Matthew Richtman. “That’s a huge reason to come here. We do have a lot of time but the course, I know they haven’t planned it out yet but you’re right, it’s probably something similar or at least on similar parts, so just to have that experience three years out, that’s really important to me and something to train for, for sure”, added he.

It was only Matthew Richtman’s second marathon, after making his debut last fall.

In the women’s race, Ethiopia’s Tejinesh Gebisa Tulu took the title in 2:30.16 hours.