Spotlight Is on Africans in the 14th L.A. Marathon

Today’s 14th running of the Los Angeles Marathon will be televised by Channel 13, which begins coverage at 8 a.m., 45 minutes before the start of the race.

The men’s field is expected to be dominated by Africans, led by Simon Bor and Chris Cheboiboch of Kenya and Moges Taye of Ethiopia. The “elite” group will be chasing the event record of 2 hours 10 minutes 19 seconds, set by Martin Mondragon of Mexico in 1988. Last year’s winner, Zebedayo Bayo of Tanzania, finished in 2:11:21.

The women’s field includes two former winners, two-time defending champion Lornah Kiplagat of Kenya and 1995 victor Nadia Prasad of France. Kiplagat, who won last year in 2:33:58, is trying to become the first three-time winner. The women’s record, set by Madina Biktagirova of the Commonwealth of Independent States in 1992, is 2:26:23.

The top male and female finishers will be awarded checks for $35,000 and cars worth $24,300.

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Go to The Times’ Web site for an L.A. Marathon course map, a guide to watching the event, an online marathon game and--if you’re running--a calculator to figure your pace times: https://www.latimes.com/marathon.