Two runners from Ethiopia claimed top bragging rights at the Los Angeles Marathon, which saw temperatures hit 80 on Sunday.
Amane Gobena was first to cross the finish line in 2 hours, 27 minutes, 37 seconds. Gebo Burka won for the men in 2:10:37.
Goben beat Burka to the finish line by 41 seconds. That won her a $50,000 bonus in addition to the $25,000 first prize. Gobena placed second in the Los Angeles Marathon in 2009.
Tigist Tufa of Ethiopia finished second in 2:28:04 and American Lauren Kleppin was third in 2:28:48, some 13 minutes faster than her previous best.
Lani Rutto of Kenya was the second man to finish, in 2:10:48. Defending champion Erick Mose was third in 2:12:56.
The marathon wasn't all fun and games for some runners.
Paramedics said one 28-year-old man suffered a heart attack along the route and had to be resuscitated. Another had a seizure.
Firefighters said 28 people wee hospitalized and treated for mostly minor heat-related injuries following the race.
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The sunny, 80 degree heat proved hard for about 1,000 people who sought help at the 10 medical stations set up along the route.
Those not competing in the marathon had to maneuver around several road closures from Dodger Stadium to Santa Monica. The race also meant tighter security measures in light of last year's bombing at the Boston Marathon.
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Mohammed Aman 800 Meter Gold Poland Indoor 2014
The men’s 800m final was one of the most exciting events in the arena this weekend. With two Polish athletes going for the gold, the roar from the crowd was infernal.
Thijmen Kupers started at the front, passing 200m in 24.96 before the Dutchman brought the group to 400m in 53.29.
The movement behind him began after 400m when South Africa’s Andre Olivier looked to take the lead. The two Poles had other ideas with Marcin Lewandowski taking the lead on the third lap, passing 600m in 1:20.57 and compatriot Adam Kszczot joining him at the start of the last lap. Kszczot passed his countryman in the back-straight with Mohammed Aman, the world leading athlete in this event, taking the lead before the final curve.
The 20-year-old, also 2013 World champion from Moscow, retained his world indoor title from Istanbul in style finishing in 1:46.40, but to the absolute delight for the crowd, Adam Kszczot challenged him almost to the finish line to take the silver medal clocking 1:46.76 and Marcin Lewandowski crossed the line in third, just ahead of Briton Andrew Osagie.
But moments later, it was revealed that Lewandowski had been disqualified for a lane violation, moving Osagie into the bronze medal position, replicating his finish from 2012.
This was a second medal for Kszczot in this competition, as he was third in 2010. Olivier was fifth in 1:47.31 and the early leader Kupers finished in sixth (1:47.74).
Mirko Jalava for the IAAF
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