Runners Slog Through Ankle-Deep Water on San Vicente to Cold, Wet Finish in Santa Monica

Chilling rain on gusting winds howled in from the Pacific Sunday, soaking  the runners who slogged through ankle-deep water in Brentwood to the LA Marathon finish line in Santa Monica.

Around the area, slick roads, mudslides and flooding turned the roadways into obstacle courses for drivers brave enough to challenge the weather and Marathon-mandated   

San Vicente Boulevard–closed for the event–was ankle-deep in water at one point during the race.

First-time marathoner Markos Geneti overcame the rain and cold to win in a race-record time of two hours, six minutes, 35 seconds, while fellow Ethiopian Buzunesh Deba was the women's winner in 2:26:34.

Because of the rain and cold, more than 300 runners were evaluated for . At least 20 people were hospitalized for hypothermia, cramps or other problems, and another 70 treated and released on city streets, authorities said.

This year's race lost about 1,000 late entrants because of the rain, Marathon press officer Rich Perelman estimated. Rain fell on the race for the fourth time in its history. There were trace amounts of rain twice in the 1990s and 1.6 inches fell on the race in 2000, Perelman said.

The temperature was 54 degrees when the race began at 7:26 a.m. at Dodger Stadium. By the time the women reached the sixth mile, winds were blowing in from the southeast at 15-20 mph.

"It was freezing cold," said Amy Hastings, the second-place finisher in the women's race. "We've had some rain in Mammoth, so I've gotten used to it. It was windy, but it was something you have to work though. I prefer it over the heat."

There were 23,542 runners entered, the sixth-most in race history, but 9.6 percent less than last year's record of 26,054, which was boosted by the debut of the race's Stadium to the Sea course.

Runners from all 50 states and 57 foreign nations entered, Perelman said. The top state outside of California was New York, with 186, while Japan was the foreign nation with the most entrants, 201.

Rainfall rates of more than an inch an hour were reported at several locations in Malibu and the adjacent foothills, and four inches fell in Newhall. Many areas saw more than two inches of rain, and there was snow in the mountains.

A section of the Golden State (5) Freeway through the Grapevine is closed because of snow, according to the California Highway Patrol. Alternate routes include the Antelope Valley (14) Freeway, but it was heavily congested. At higher elevations, chains were required for vehicles using Big Pines Highway between the Antelope Valley and Wrightwood, and Angeles Forest Highway was closed south of Palmdale.

Rock slides, pavement collapses and flooding were reported on Pacific Coast Highway in the Malibu area, and a section of Topanga Canyon Boulevard was also closed. Area motorists were warned to expect delays and detours that could continue into the morning commute.

In Woodland Hills, the rain caused a mudslide that prompted the evacuation of about 30 people in 12 homes near 4855 N. Regalo Road, where debris and mud breached a retaining wall, said Diana Igawa of the Los Angeles Fire Department. No one was injured, and those displaced were taken to a fire station for shelter, Igawa said.

Nearby on Buenaventura Street, a tree and transformer went down, causing a power outage, according to the Los Angeles Police Department Topanga station. Police also reported a mudslide in the 5100 block of Baza Avenue.

More than 96,000 Southland homes and businesses lost electricity on Sunday, and it was unclear when power would be restored to them all, utility officials said. The roof of a Big Lots store in Granada Hills collapsed, but no one was hurt as the business closed early because of earlier leaks.

In Castaic, a gas station overhang collapsed, landing on top of a pickup truck. There were more than 100 reports of downed trees, mostly in valley areas, and some fell on homes and vehicles.

Bob Hope International Airport in Burbank experienced flight delays, while Los Angeles International Airport reported delays for passengers trying to get to the airport because the eastbound lanes of the Glenn Anderson (105) Freeway were closed, as was the Sepulveda Tunnel.