The women’s race at the 2017 Skechers Performance LA Marathon was a real upset. Biruktayit Degafa had the fastest marathon PB prior to the race. But, as we have seen in other races, no one can quantify the human spirit. Hellen Jepkurgat wanted to run the LA Marathon. First, her passport was within six months of expiring, so, Hellen was not let in the U.S. So, Hellen had to get an expedited passport and visa. Then, Hellen was not considered an elite athlete, so she flew herself to LA.
However, all that changed in 2:34:23. Hellen tookt the lead at 14 miles and that party was over, as Jane Kibii of Kenya finished two minutes behind Hellen Jepkurgat, in 2:36:14. Angela Orjuela of Columbia was third in 2:36:20. Big surprise in fourth was San Jose, California’s Joanna Reyes, who dropped fifteen minutes off her PB with her fine 2:37:55!
Here’s the interview done post race with the top four! Video courtesy of The Shoe Addicts, the digital partners of RunBlogRun.
