Repeat Champions Jason Yang and Ryley Fick take top honors in milestone 40th edition
LONG BEACH, Calif. – October 6, 2024 – The weather forecast for the Long Beach Marathon was ominous, predicting a heat wave with temperatures in the 90s. Not ideal for those tackling long distances.
However, this milestone 40th running of Southern California’s premier fall marathon saw Mother Nature cooperate. Runners were greeted by a marine layer so thick they couldn’t see the tops of the downtown buildings. The temperature didn’t hit 70 until nearly 11 a.m.
“I think we got very lucky,” said Los Angeles’ Jason Yang, the men’s marathon repeat winner, who crossed the finish line in 2:27:26.It was a day for repeat winners, as Ryley Fick, 24, who ran at Long Beach State, defended her women’s marathon title in 2:54:42, a four-minute personal record. As a hometown favorite, Fick embraced the local support.
“I love the community. I love the support,” said Fick, who was also cheered on by family members from Bakersfield. “There’s so many people cheering on the course. It’s just a great place to run. I always feel the love and support when I run here.”
Fick admitted she didn’t expect to run as fast as she did.
“I was honestly doubtful about my fitness compared to last year,” she said. “But I knew I needed to come out here and give it a try.”
Starting conservatively, Fick looked at her watch around Mile 10 and realized, “I’m going faster than I expected. So I thought, ‘OK, I’ll keep it right there.’”
But by Mile 13 or 14, stomach pain and aching feet set in.
“After last year, I knew the marathon was going to be painful,” she said. “Instead of being intimidated by that pain and being afraid of it, I told myself, ‘Just keep going, keep pushing harder because there’s supposed to be pain during a marathon.’”
Her determination earned her a second win in her second marathon. Yang, 33, shared there was no secret to defending his title.
“A lot of running,” he said. “I think the most rewarding thing is just being consistent week to week (in training). This is one of my favorite marathons.”
Asked if he’ll return next year for a possible three-peat, Yang said, “I’m local, from Los Angeles, so I’ll be back.”
In the half-marathon, a pair of San Diegans took both titles. Clare O’Brien, originally from Australia, won the women’s race in 1:14:25, while Medhane Woldu claimed the men’s race in 1:06:24.
Reflecting on the race atmosphere, O’Brien said, “I’ve never seen anything like it before. I liked how there were always people around. All the women cheering, ‘Yeah, go!’ It gave me a boost. It was so exciting.”
The 40th edition of the Long Beach Marathon and Half Marathon exceeded expectations. Between the marathon, half-marathon, Bike Tour, and Aquarium of the Pacific 5K, race weekend welcomed 22,000 entrants, marking a 27 percent increase over last year.
Signs lined the course and flags waved at the finish line as an emotional day unfolded. A nod to history was made as eight legacy runners, who have participated in all 40 races, took to the course. Among them were Lorenzo Herrera and Kenny Williams, who both finished their 40th 26.2-mile marathon.
“As long as you can breathe, you have a chance,” said Williams, reflecting on his legacy. “There are way too many people in hospitals and beds. My brother-in-law has been bedridden for four years. I just feel lucky to keep going.”
The Long Beach Marathon continues to touch the entire community, with runners raising nearly $500,000 for various charities and local non-profit organizations. For complete results, photos and more, visit RunLongBeach.com.
