LOS ANGELES MARATHON / DAILY REPORT : Wheelchair Racers Can Earn Bonuses

One of the more competitive aspects of Sunday’s Los Angeles Marathon probably will be the wheelchair division, with Jim Knaub returning to defend his title.

Knaub, of Long Beach, set a course record last year of 1 hour 40 minutes 53 seconds. There are nine athletes in the marathon who have raced faster. There is a $6,240 bonus for anyone finishing faster than 1:39.

In addition to Knaub, the men’s field includes Mustapha Badid of France, a former world record-holder who has a best time of 1:28:53; Kenny Carnes, who is expected to be strong on the course’s hilly portions, and Philippe Couprie, Badid’s training partner.

The women’s field is headed by four-time winner Candace Cable of Lake Tahoe. Later in the month, Cable will go to Albertville, France, for the Para-Olympics, where she will compete in the Alpine skiing events.

Connie Hansen of Denmark, last year’s winner, will defend her title. Her winning time of 1:57:11 is the women’s course record.

There is a $6,240 bonus for any woman finishing faster than 1:55.