NEWPORT BEACH, CA — Steven Martinez of Chula Vista broke his own course record Sunday in winning his second OC Marathon in four years while UC Irvine medical student Brianna Bourne was the women's winner.
Martinez completed the 26-mile, 385-yard course in 2:14:06, breaking his previous record of 2:18:06 set in 2023. The time qualified him for the 2028 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials. He ran in both the 2020 and 2024 Olympic Trials.
The 31-year-old had battled pain in both knees since May.
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"The one word I would use to describe this feeling is grateful," Martinez said after topping the capacity field of 3,618. "It was a tough 2025. This wasn't like a personal best by any measure, but I'm super thankful for finishing this as comfortable as I can.
"Running two minutes under (the Olympic Marathon Trials standard of 2:16) was very surprising how easy it was. I'm super grateful to be healthy and doing this."
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Martinez's training partner, Xavier Smith of Lake Forest, finished second in 2:20:37.
The 27-year-old Bourne was the women's winner in 2:57:53, with 40-year- old Rachael Robnett of Henderson, Nevada finishing second in 2:58:56, breaking three hours for the first time.
"The course is gorgeous," Robnett said. "The most beautiful homes, beautiful ocean views. I never got bored. I loved it. I loved it all. The women are so strong, so inspirational. They're amazing. The support from other runners is what brings me out every time."
The race began at 5:30 a.m. Sunday at Fashion Island, then went through Corona del Mar and the Newport Harbor area. The runners then entered Costa Mesa, passed the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, went around the South Coast Plaza and through Segerstrom High School.
The course continued for one mile in Santa Ana, then turned onto the Santa Ana River Trail for 1.5 miles, exiting at the Gisler footbridge to run through the Mesa Verde neighborhoods and then the "Bird Streets."
The race ended at the OC Fair and Event Center in Costa Mesa.
City News Service
