LOS ANGELES MARATHON DAILY REPORT : Just Winning No Longer Enough; Top Times Needed for Top Dollar

For elite runners, marathons mean money. Since most of the world’s best racers can run only two or three marathons per year, these athletes carefully select the races they run so as to maximize their income.

The Los Angeles Marathon is an interesting case in changing philosophy. In the first race in 1986, the men’s and women’s winners were paid $10,000 each. Race organizers recognized that for the race to grow, prize money would have to be increased.

Last year’s winners received $50,000, the sort of prize money to attract the world’s best.

So why will the winners of Sunday’s race earn less than half that, with $20,000 going to both the top male and female?

Believing races should pay for performance rather than appearance, Los Angeles Marathon officials have drastically cut prize money payouts and instituted a time-bonus structure.

If the winner runs under 2 hours 10 minutes, he will win an additional $35,000. The comparable time for the women is $35,000 for a sub-2:27 run.

A world record will be rewarded with $250,000 on a payment schedule of $50,000 a year for five years. A course record will net a runner $10,000.

Add the bonuses together and top runners can earn plenty, but they will have to work for it.