Today, L.A. Is the Place to Run : Marathon: Race will serve as a showcase to rest of world that city is surviving earthquake.

A marathon as hardy as its participants will take place for the ninth consecutive year this morning, and this country’s best female runner is ready.

“The way I look at it is, when it is my turn to die, I will die, no matter where I’m at,” Olga Appell said. “So I have no problem coming to Los Angeles.”

With a starting time runners dislike, amid surroundings that scare them, the Los Angeles Marathon will begin in front of the Coliseum at 8 a.m. for wheelchair competitors and at 8:40 for everyone else.

A field of 19,000 runners is expected in pursuit of prize money that will include $15,000 and a Mercedes-Benz for the top male and female finishers.

While the event is being touted as a showcase for this city’s ability to survive in the wake of the Jan. 17 earthquake, it is also an example of the race’s resiliency.

No male who recorded among the world’s 25 fastest times last year is here. The highest-ranking female is Appell, who is 15th in the world.

Yet the race has never been more popular, with nearly as many sponsors as runners and a telecast that will reach 133 countries. This includes five hours of live race coverage on Channel 13 in Los Angeles.

“This could be not just our biggest race ever, but our most important race ever,” said Bill Burke, marathon president. “We will show the world that Los Angeles is still standing.”

If it is as hot as it was last year--87 degrees--not all top runners will be standing. However, temperatures are expected to be in the 60s.

“Obviously, for the convenience of the runners and for the sake of better times, you would like this to start earlier,” said Ed Eyestone, the top American hope who is coming off his first marathon victory, in Minneapolis last fall.

“But we know there are other things to consider, like publicity and things. If you come to this race, you come knowing the conditions.”

And this area’s penchant for natural disaster.

“When you think of the odds of another earthquake or mudslide or fire happening when we are here . . . well, I guess odds are pretty good,” Eyestone said, smiling.

Although the man with the second-fastest marathon time in history will be here, Ahmed Salah of Djibouti ran his 2:07:07 race nearly six years ago.

Italy’s Luca Barzaghi, who ran a personal-best 2:10:53 last year in the World Cup, is the men’s favorite. Salvador Garcia, who won the New York City Marathon two years ago, will also contend.