By Susan Payne
Nearly 20,000 runners gathered in West Hollywood for the 28th Annual Los Angeles Marathon, referred to as the “Rainbow Mile,” according to West Hollywood Mayor Pro Tem John Erickson.
The festive scene — complete with costumes, signs and cheering — on Santa Monica Boulevard was telecasted on KTLA, according to the Los Angeles Blade.
“It’s the best mile,” he told Wendy Burch of KTLA. “We’ve got all the colors, we’ve got all the diversity, and there’s no better place to do it than West Hollywood… we love that they come through the city every year. We can see the crowds come out, every family from all walks of life, and we do it right here in West Hollywood because this is where everyone is welcome.”
Wheelchair participants started at the Dodger Stadium, followed by the women’s division, and then shortly after, the men’s division and the general public. The course followed through downtown Los Angeles, Hollywood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills and Century City, according to the Blade.
From the women’s division, Stacy Ndiwa of Kenya crossed the finished line first, clocking in at 2 hours and 31 minutes. Jemal Yimer of Ethiopia placed first from the men’s division with 2 hours, 13 minutes and 13 seconds on the clock.
Proudly, between the 14th and 15th miles of the course, West Hollywood’s portion of the run has been unchanged in previous years, crossing Sunset Boulevard at Marmont Lane, west of N. Crescent Heights Boulevard, then west onto Santa Monica Boulevard, then south onto N. Doheny Drive ahead of the Beverly Hills city entrance.
