Kirui, Lehonkova prevail in the fog in Los Angeles Marathon

SANTA MONICA, Calif. – Weldon Kirui pulled away in the final mile as Kenyan men swept the top three spots at the Los Angeles Marathon on a foggy Sunday.

The 27-year-old Kirui raced shoulder-to-shoulder with Willie Koitile until making his surge over the final mile, winning in a time of 2 hours, 13 minutes, 7 seconds.

Nataliya Lehonkova of Ukraine led almost the entire way and won the women’s race in 2:30:40.

Kirui and Lehonkova won over a course starting at Dodger Stadium downtown, winding through West Hollywood and Beverly Hills before finishing near the Santa Monica Pier.

Koitile was second in 2:13:24, with defending champion Daniel Limo third in 2:13:52.

Serkalem Abrha of Ethiopia finished second to Lehonkova in 2:32:24, with Julia Budniak of Poland third at 2:44:44.

Kirui and Koitile pulled away as a pair with four miles remaining.

The 33-year-old Lehonkova pulled away from Abrha with five miles to go.

The elite field started early under cool, ideal conditions in an effort to complete the race before temperatures got too hot.

Kirui and Lehonkova each earned $100,000.