LA Marathon runners cross the finish line; 185 treated for injuries

Sunday, March 15, 2015
LA Marathon kicks off earlier to beat heat
The LA Marathon kicked off half an hour earlier Sunday in an effort to prevent heat-related injuries.

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (KABC) -- As temperatures rose, runners in the LA Marathon powered through to get to the finish line on Sunday.

The 30th annual race began at about 6:55 a.m. at Dodger Stadium and ended in Santa Monica amid a heat wave that moved in across Southern California over the weekend.

ABC7 viewer Michael Colonello sent us this photo on Facebook of firefighters helping LA Marathon runners cool off Sunday, March 15, 2015.

ABC7 viewer Michael Colonello sent us this photo of firefighters helping LA Marathon runners cool off Sunday, March 15, 2015.

The temperature at the start of Sunday's 26-mile race was 71 degrees and reached the 80s along parts of the route.

Daniel Limo of Kenya was the first person to cross the finish line after 2 hours, 10 minutes and 35 seconds. Jared Ward was the first American runner to cross the finish line with a time of 2 hours, 12 minutes and 55 seconds.

For women, Ogla Kimaiyo of Kenya crossed at 2 hours, 34 minutes and 9 seconds. Blake Russell was the first American woman to cross with a time of 2 hours, 34 minutes and 56 seconds.

As of 4:30 p.m., 185 people were treated for injuries. Thirty-five people were taken to local hospitals in stable condition. A 61-year-old man had a heart attack on San Vicente Boulevard near Montana Avenue, which is near mile marker 22. He was taken to a hospital in critical condition and was conscious.

Last year, 95 people were treated for injuries, but only 16 people were transported to a hospital.

In addition, streets shut down for the race have since reopened. Streets near mile marker 19 have resumed normal operations.

For a full list of winners, visit www.lamarathon.com.