Posted: February 19, 2005

Athletics: It never rains in Southern California….especially not on the Rose Parade!

But it’s anyone’s guess when it comes to weather and the L.A. Marathon! Usually, organizers and participants pray for and get sunshine...but not always.

More than 25,000 runners are expected -- rain or shine -- for the 20th anniversary L.A. Marathon, which takes place on Sunday, March 6. One runner in particular might welcome inclement weather.

Benson Mutiisya Mbithi of Kenya won the L.A. Marathon in 2000 with a time of 2:11:55. The win was even more notable because of the torrential downpour that day. In subsequent, consecutive, sunny years, Mbithi has achieved not better than third place.

He returns this year with plans to dominate the Elite field once again. Is he a true cold-weather colt? Could rain and wind be the conditions that set him up to reclaim his title? We’ll know on March 6.