Outdoor Sports

The 2019 Paris Marathon will take place on Sunday when around 60,000 competitors take to the streets of the French capital.

The elite men's race will see Paul Lonyangata bid to win a record third consecutive title, having won the event in 2017 and 2018, but defending women's champion Betsy Saina won't be present.

Here is the schedule for the day's racing:

Paris Marathon Schedule

• 8:06 a.m. local time (7:06 a.m. BST, 2:06 a.m. ET): Wheelchair race
• 8:09 a.m. local time (7:09 a.m. BST, 2:09 a.m. ET): Elite women
• 8:25 a.m. local time (7:25 a.m. BST, 2:25 a.m. ET): Elite men and preferential wave
• 10:20 a.m. local time (9:20 a.m. BST, 4:20 a.m. ET): Last runners depart

The 26-mile route will see the runners start on the Champs-Elysees in front of the Arc de Triomphe and cross seven districts of the French capital before returning to the monument via the Avenue Foch:

Along the way, the competitors will pass some of Paris' most famous sites.

They'll make their way to the Bois de Vincennes via the Place de la Concorde, Palais Garnier and Place de la Bastille before heading back along the Seine, where they will pass Notre Dame cathedral and the Eiffel Tower.

Lonyangata's recent record in Paris makes him the favourite in the men's race, though he could face some stiff competition this year.

The Kenyan set his personal best of 2 hours, six minutes and 10 seconds in Paris with his win in 2017, but there are several competitors who have recorded quicker times than him.

Asefa Mengistu, Yemane Tsegay and Feyisa Lilesa, all of Ethiopia, have each set personal bests under 2:05:00. 

In the women's race, it's a slightly more open field without Saina. Gelete Burka, whose best time of 2:20:45 would be a course record in Paris, is the favourite.

Being paralyzed from the waist down didn't stop Adam Gorlitsky from completing a majority of the Los Angeles Marathon. 

The 32-year-old walked 17.2 miles using an exoskeleton over the course of three days with a support group around him, via TMZ Sports:

Gorlitsky, who was paralyzed 13 years ago in a car accident, had previously completed various other races, including a half marathon, per Kim Baldonado of NBC Los Angeles. With the aid of an $80,000 robotic exoskeleton, he was trying to push himself even further this time.

"I don't feel disabled, but I don't feel able-bodied," he said before attempting the marathon. "I feel what I call re-enabled and all that means is what it feels to be empowered."

Although he fell short of becoming the first American paraplegic ever to complete the 26.2-mile race, he still displayed an inspired effort in his journey.

Elisha Barno and Askale Merachi won the men's and women's races at Los Angeles Marathon on Sunday morning. 

The Kenyan Barno shocked runner-up John Korir with a blistering pace down the home stretch. 

Barno finished with a time of 2:11:45, followed by Korir (2:11:52), Juan Luis Barrios (2:11:59), Milton Rotich (2:12:42) and Weldon Kirui (2:13:24). 

Ethiopia's Merachi had a bit less drama in her victory:

With a time of 2:24:11, Merachi held off Cynthia Jerop (2:25:54), Lucy Karimi (2:26:15), Olha Skrypak (2:30:33) and Jane Kibii (2:32:12) with relative ease. She also set a course record with her victory, according to Austin Knoblauch of the Los Angeles Times.

And Barno's victory ended Kirui's string of dominance, after the Kenyan won the previous two men's marathons. 

It appeared neither would end Sunday victorious, as Korir established a sizable lead ahead of the 20-mile mark. But Barno made his comeback on the final two miles, finishing with an impressive burst to claim the title.

The sights and scenes are always striking at the Los Angeles Marathon, which begins at Dodger Stadium before winding downtown and making trips through famous neighborhoods like Hollywood and Beverly Hills before ending at the Santa Monica Pier.

After all, how many marathon courses are lined with palm trees?

According to ABC7.com, "More than 24,000 people are in the race, which has drawn entrants from all 50 states and a record 66 nations, three more than the previous high, according to organizers."

Next week, baseball returns to Dodger Stadium. But on Sunday, the ballpark will be used as the starting line for more than 24,000 runners participating in the 34th annual Los Angeles Marathon.

The race has occurred every year since 1986, and it was inspired by the success of the 1984 Summer Olympics, which took place in L.A. It is 26.219 miles long and ends with the Finish Festival on Santa Monica Blvd.

According to the L.A. Marathon website, there will be runners from all 50 states and more than 63 countries, and this year's race has officially sold out.

Event Information

Where: Dodger Stadium to the intersection of Ocean Avenue and California Avenue in Santa Monica, California

When: Sunday, March 24

Route: Course Map

Road Closures: Complete List

2019 Los Angeles Marathon Schedule

6:30 a.m. Wheelchair start

6:32 a.m. Handcycle start

6:45 a.m. Professional women start

6:55 a.m. Professional men and rest of field start

Marathon Preview

Although there will be elite runners looking to complete the race in record time, there will be many more competitors who will be there to raise money for charity, complete their first marathon or just run for fun.

It should be a nice day for the event. As of Friday morning, Weather.com was forecasting it to be sunny with a high of 70 degrees in Los Angeles on Sunday.

Last year's winners in the elite divisions were Weldon Kirui (men's, 2 hours, 11 minutes and 47 seconds) and Sule Gedo (women's, 2:33:50). The records for the marathon were set by Markos Geneti (men's, 2:06:35) in 2011 and Lidiya Grigoryeva (women's, 2:25:10) in 2006.

Participants for the Los Angeles Marathon, which is among the largest 26-mile events in the United States, must be 16 years or older. There are 14 age divisions with the top three finishers in each section receiving a commemorative award. All finishers earn a commemorative medal.

For runners participating in this year's marathon, packets and racing bibs can be picked up at the Health & Fitness Expo being held at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Friday and Saturday.

When race day arrives on Sunday, Los Angeles will be on full display as runners travel through the city during the marathon. At the finish line, there are sure to be feelings of relief and excitement for the participants who completed the long race.

So, racers, get ready to enjoy the nice weather while running through the streets of the second-largest city in the United States.

Ott DeFoe was the top angler in the 2019 Bassmaster Classic in Knoxville, Tennessee.

DeFoe's three-day total registered 49 pounds, three ounces, putting him well ahead of second-place finisher Jacob Wheeler, whose haul measured at 45 pounds, five ounces.

Here are the top 10 finishers, with the full results available on Bassmaster's official site:

2019 Bassmaster Classic Leaderboard

1. Ott DeFoe, 15 fish (49 pounds, three ounces)

2. Jacob Wheeler, 15 (45-5)

3. Jesse Wiggins, 15 (43-14)

4. Michael Iaconelli, 15 (42-9)

5. Mark Daniels Jr., 15 (41-12)

6. Brandon Lester, 15 (40-5)

7. Wesley Strader, 15 (39-8)

8. Edwin Evers, 15 (39-7)

9. Dean Rojas, 15 (35-6)

10. Brandon Palaniuk, 12 (34-15)

DeFoe is a Knoxville native, so Sunday's win will be even sweeter coming in his hometown. Wheeler had a similar emotional pull, growing up in Harrison, Tennessee, which is a little over 100 miles southeast of Knoxville.

DeFoe was firmly in the driver's seat after the first day, as his five fish tipped the scales at 20 pounds. He only added 10 pounds, five ounces, Saturday, though, opening the door for Wheeler.

"Dude, I was so mad yesterday," DeFoe said Sunday, per the Knoxville News Sentinel's Travis Dorman. "I was so mad. After that first day, I was on top of the world. But God will humble you sometimes exactly when you need it."

DeFoe avoided a heartbreaking defeat, catching five fish Sunday that weighed a total of 18 pounds, 14 ounces. Wheeler, on the other hand, reeled in 12 pounds, 15 ounces.

Mark Daniels Jr. was in second place (31 pounds, 14 ounces) after Saturday. His title challenge fell by the wayside Sunday. Although he caught five fish, he settled for nine pounds, 14 ounces, putting him well off the pace set by DeFoe.

Jordan Lee was a two-time defending champion in the Bassmaster Classic, but luck abandoned him this weekend. He had 13 pounds, 10 ounces, to his name through the first two days and didn't make it to Sunday.

Four-time champion Kevin VanDam made it to the final day but was never much of a threat after a 10-pound, two-ounce catch Friday. He placed 20th (30 pounds, one ounce).

The 2019 Bassmaster Classic continued in Knoxville, Tennessee, on Saturday, and Jacob Wheeler took the lead with another stellar showing.

Here's a look at the top 10 as well as some notable results from Day 2.

2019 Bassmaster Classic Leaderboard—Saturday

1. Jacob Wheeler: 10 fish (32-6)

2. Mark Daniels Jr.: 10 fish (31-14)

3. Chris Zaldain: 9 fish (30-12)

4. Ott DeFoe: 10 fish (30-5)

5. Michael Iaconelli: 10 fish (28-9)

6. Wesley Strader: 10 fish (28-0)

7. Roy Hawk: 10 fish (27-10)

8. Justin Lucas: 10 fish (27-0)

9. Jesse Wiggins: 10 fish (26-10)

10. Jacob Powroznik: 10 fish (26-7)

*Full leaderboard available on the official Bassmaster Classic website.

Saturday Action

Wheeler, who was fourth entering Saturday after catching five fish for 14 pounds and 11 ounces, caught five more fish for 17 pounds and 11 ounces to take the slight lead over Mark Daniels Jr.

Daniels is within close distance, however, as he took over the Berkley Big Bass with a six-pound, three-ounce catch. He reeled in one last fish before time wound down, per Ronnie Moore of Bassmaster.com:

Wheeler and Daniels are friends and roommates on the road, per Craig Lamb of Bassmaster.com.

Chris Zaldain is third on the list thanks to the Bassmaster Classic's best one-day performance of 21 pounds and 12 ounces. Home-state angler Ott DeFoe, who led after Friday, is still in contention at fourth.

Michael Iaconelli is in fifth and even took an early lead, per Bassmaster:

Moore noted how quickly Iaconelli's success arrived on Saturday:

Two-time defending Bassmaster Classic champion Jordan Lee has struggled out of the gate and is just 42nd.

The Bassmaster Classic wraps up on Sunday.

The 2019 Bassmaster Classic got underway in Knoxville, Tennessee, on Friday, with Ott DeFoe coming away as the biggest winner of Day 1 as he sits atop the leaderboard. 

Below is a look at the overall standings as well as a glimpse at the latest action from Knoxville.

2019 Bassmaster Classic Leaderboard — Friday

1. Ott DeFoe: 5 fish (20 pounds-0 ounces)

2. Roy Hawk: 5 fish (17-11)

3. Clifford Pirch: 5 fish (16-11)

4. Justin Lucas: 5 fish (16-7)

5. Jacob Wheeler: 5 fish (14-11)

T6. Brent Chapman: 5 fish (14-8)

T6. Mark Daniels Jr.: 5 fish (14-8)

8. Todd Faircloth: 5 fish (13-9)

T9. Bobby Lane Jr.: 5 fish (13-4)

T9. Jacob Powroznik: 5 fish (13-4)

*Full leaderboard available on the official website of the Bassmaster Classic

An impressive haul on Friday has DeFoe sitting in first place with some breathing room.

Coming off a sixth-place finish a year ago, DeFoe put himself in prime position to place even higher this time around by reeling in 20 pounds worth of fish on Day 1. That haul was highlighted by a six-pounder:

"I got five good bites all day, and I landed them. Honestly, it felt like a very tough day," DeFoe said, per Bassmaster.com. "A six-pounder here is a really big one. So to get that one and four other pretty good ones, I felt really blessed."

That helped put him more than two pounds clear of second-place Roy Hawk (17 pounds, 11 ounces).

Hawk, meanwhile, has a one-pound lead over Clifford Pirch (16 pounds, 11 ounces)—but then the standings start to tighten up. Justin Lucas sits just four ounces back of Pirch in fourth, while the difference between fifth and ninth is just more than a pound and a half.

Of note, two-time defending champ Jordan Lee has some work to do if he is going to complete the three-peat. He sits all the way back in 33rd after managing just eight pounds and six ounces on his five fish. 

Last year, Lee ended Day 1 in third place with 18 pounds and 10 ounces, but he wound up finishing the tournament with 47 pounds and one ounce. He serves as proof that a lot can change over the next two days.

The 2019 Bassmaster Classic begins on Friday, when 52 anglers compete for the title of bass fishing world champion.

The competition, along with its accompanying expo, will run from Friday through to Sunday on the Tennessee River at Knoxville.

It won't be televised live, but live-streaming will be available throughout the tournament, courtesy of Bassmaster's official website, running from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. ET each day.

On TV, ESPN 2 will show a delayed broadcast of the Classic over the course of three Sundays. Day 1 will be shown on March 31, Day 2 on April 7 and the championship day will be shown on April 14.

Bassmaster offered a preview of the event, including what to expect from the venue, which is among the biggest to ever host the Classic:

Among the field is two-time defending champion Jordan Lee, and he's eager to add to his collection.

"Winning a Bassmaster Classic is an experience like no other," he said, per the event's official website. "That feeling of holding the trophy on stage never goes away. It's the achievement of a lifetime."

Lee believes confidence was the key to his previous victories:

He could face stiff competition for the crown this year, though.

Chris Johnston leads 2019's Angler of the Year standings. The Canadian has competed in just six tournaments, but he has three top-10 finishes, including second- and a third-placed finishes.

Meanwhile, Justin Lucas finished 2018 as Angler of the Year, so he's another one to watch out for. As a Knoxville native, Ott DeFoe—who came fourth behind Lucas—will also hope to have a say on home waters.

The Iditarod is grueling on its own, but it's even more difficult to win when the dogs don't cooperate.

Nicolas Petit was leading the 2019 sled dog race in Alaska as of Sunday, but he fell out of first place after the rest of his team decided to slow the pace.

According to Leroy Polk of KTUU, one dog had attacked another, which led Petit to intervene.

"Everybody heard daddy yelling," he said. "Which doesn't happen. And then they wouldn't go anymore. Anywhere."

After leading the race at the previous two checkpoints, Petit was forced to take an extended rest. At least three other mushers passed him.

"I ain't moving, so I'm not doing that great," he said Monday.

The 39-year-old is going for his first Iditarod title after finishing in second place last year, per Tegan Hanlon of the Anchorage Daily News.   

Alberta completed its dominant run at the Tim Hortons Brier with a 4-3 win in the final Sunday over the Wild Card team.

Skip Kevin Koe earned his fourth career title in this storied event, tying him for the most all-time with Kevin Martin, Randy Ferbey and Ernie Richardson.

The squad, which also featured B.J. Neufeld, Colton Flasch and Ben Hebert in the final, went 13-0 throughout the week in Brandon, Manitoba, while proving it was clearly the best in all of Canada.

Brendan Bottcher skipped the Wild Card squad to the final after losing to Koe's team in the Alberta competition, but he couldn't do enough to pull off one more upset.

The gold-medal match came down to one shot, as Koe used his last stone in the 10th end to score two points for Alberta:

Prior to that, the battle was mostly a defensive one with points hard to come by as neither side left many openings.

After scoring one point in the second end, Koe continued to make things difficult on his opponent by leaving few opportunities for big ends:

Bottcher continually decided to keep the hammer instead of settling for one point.

Alberta was able to steal one point in the fourth, and the score remained 2-0 through the seventh end.

This was until the Wild Card team finally got the break it was looking for with a double in the eighth to tie the match:

It was only the 16th time in 13 matches this tournament that Alberta had allowed more than one point in an end, per Curling Canada.

The underdogs then grabbed a steal in the ninth to take a 3-2 lead heading into the final frame.

However, the double in the last end was enough to decide the match and give Alberta another Brier championship.

Alberta had a 93 percent success rate in the match, with the skip shooting 93 percent himself. Bottcher hit only 86 percent, and that was effectively the difference in this battle.

Fans of the sport will now turn their attention to the Curling World Championships, which interestingly enough will take place in Alberta, Canada, at the end of March.