L.A. Marathon Just May Produce Three Good Races

Amid the glitz, the celebrities and the more than 15,000 entrants, it’s possible there will be an interesting race in today’s third edition of the Los Angeles Marathon. Possible.

The scanty elite field in this race will battle over a moderately fast course that has a few hills in the first half and a fast second half. The weather could be an equalizer: High temperatures will wither some runners, while cool weather under a morning cloud cover may ensure a fast time.

There are a handful of runners in the men’s race who might be cast as favorites. Chief among them is Mark Plaatjes, who recently left South Africa with his wife and daughter and sought asylum in the United States. Plaatjes, 26, has the fastest time of the field. He has run the 26.2-mile distance in 2 hours 8 minutes 58 seconds.

That was in 1985. Plaatjes has been training in Boulder, Colo., for the past six weeks, and his coach thinks the altitude and the relaxed environment will help Plaatjes.

“I really don’t think he’s reached his full potential,” Tony Longhurst said. “All his races have been run under great pressure. He’s never really run a race where there have been no distractions or he’s completely relaxed. He hasn’t raced over the marathon distance for two years. He’s ready and he’s hungry.”

There may be little political pressure on Plaatjes, but there are other forms of stress. Winning the race could be a springboard for Plaatjes to receive the recognition that leads to endorsements and sponsorships.

“Everything could change after Sunday,” Glenn Latimer, Plaatjes’ adviser said.

At stake is a total purse of $113,000. The men’s and women’s winner each receive $25,000, an automobile and merchandise. There is a $100,000 bonus for a men’s or women’s world record and a $25,000 bonus to the first man who can finish under 2:10 or woman who can finish under 2:30.

Others to watch in the men’s race: Gianni Poli, the Italian national record-holder. Poli was the surprise winner of the New York Marathon in 1986. He ran his best time of 2:09:57 in 1985.

Poli pronounced himself fit at a luncheon Friday and had this warning to his competitors, “I am here to try to win this race,” he said. “I think for me this is possible. I know there are other good athletes who want to win, but I think it will be very difficult because my condition is very good.”

Among the top competitors are:

--Rod Dixon, a four-time Olympian from New Zealand. Dixon did not finish last year’s race but has trained hard for today’s race. He’s trying to make his country’s Olympic team, but wonders about his chances of making the qualifying time of 2:11:30.

Dixon said it is possible that if he beats the other New Zealand runners today--this is that country’s Olympic qualifying race--and if he runs a good time, he may still make the team.

“Unfortunately, the selectors and federation people seem to be preoccupied with time.”

--Jose Gomez and Jesus Herrera of Mexico. Both men train at altitude in Mexico City. Both will do well if temperatures rise. Both have excellent times,Herrara with a 2:11:00 and Gomez with a 2:11:28. The race is also an Olympic qualifier for Mexico.

--Lasse Viren, winner of four gold medals in three Olympic Games. Viren, 38, has run a 2:13:05 and said he is serious about attempting to make the Finnish Olympic team this year.

The women’s field has some veterans and at least one unknown. Among the veterans: Gillian Adams-Horovitz. Horovitz was good enough to represent Great Britain internationally a few years, but has taken 2 1/2 years off while raising twins. Her best time is 2:37:10. Patty Catalano, 34, of Vermont has been away from the sport longer than Horovitz. Catalano was once the best American marathoner but injuries and personal problems have kept her from running a marathon in the last two years. Catalano’s best time is 2:27:51.

Two other long-time runners are Christa Vahlensieck, 38, of West Germany and Magda Ilands, 38, of Belgium.

The unknown factor in the women’s race is Lynn Nelson. Nelson, 26, trains in Phoenix and will be running in her second marathon. Nelson is better known at 10,000 meters, a distance which she ran in the World Championships last year in Rome. This will be her first serious attempt at a marathon.

For sentimentalists, there is the masters division. Bill Rodgers and Frank Shorter, who are both 40, will face each other for the first time in a master’s marathon. Rodgers has entered a marathon as a master but dropped out. The same thing happened to Shorter in his first masters marathon.

Rodgers has the better time, 2:09:27 to Shorter’s 2:10:30, and both will be chasing Barry Brown’s American masters record of 2:15:15. Brown is in today’s race.

At least one competitor got a head start on today’s race. Disabled Vietnam veteran Bob Wieland was to start Saturday morning at 8:30. Wieland first gained national attention when he finished the New York City Marathon, a day after the rest of the field.

Wieland, who lost both his legs in combat, “runs” the marathon using his arms. He thought he might be at the 10-mile mark by the time the runners start, 24 hours later.

FACTS & FIGURES Start and finish: Coliseum in Exposition Park. Starting times: Wheelchair start, 8:30 a.m.; Race walkers’ start: 8:40 a.m.; Race start: 9 a.m.; Senior walk: 9:30 a.m.; Awards ceremony at the L.A. Airport Hilton; 7:30 p.m. TV: Race will be broadcast live on KCOP (Channel 13), starting at 8 a.m. Radio: KNX (1070) will begin race coverage at 7 a.m.