Ortiz Wins Marathon in Culver City

Jose Ortiz capitalized on excellent conditions--cloudy and chilly--to win the Western Hemisphere Marathon on Sunday, covering the 26.2 miles in a time of 2 hours 27 minutes 43 seconds.

More than 570 runners started the 45th annual race, formerly known as the Culver City Marathon. They had some light rain on a flat course.

Placing second to Ortiz was Pete Kaplan, in 2:29:40. Third was Steven Barry, in 2:33:26.

Mary Button won the women’s race in 2:51:02. Tracey Varga was second in 2:53:47, and Miki Correa was third in 3:02:36.

Bob Molinatti set a course record in the wheelchair race with a time of 1:50:41. Jose Zarragoicochea was second in 1:56:08 and Scott Mobley was third in 1:59:36.