Welcome to the bigs, Matt Richtman.
Garnering attention in the Fox Valley for his running feats is nothing new to the Kaneland graduate from Elburn, but Richtman’s surprising win last weekend in the Los Angeles Marathon is definitely next-level stuff.
Deena Kastor, a three-time American Olympian who took the bronze medal in 2004, summed it up this way during the local broadcast of Sunday’s race:
“This is the future of American distance running we saw on display here in LA,” she said. “For Matt to run 2:07.56, that’s some serious running for someone so young in their marathon career.”
Richtman accomplished it in only his second marathon, the first American in three decades to win in the 40th running of the LA race.
He ran his first marathon, the Twin Cities in Minnesota last October, taking fourth in 2:10.47.
“My time there got people to see what I was capable of doing,” Richtman said of the notice he received.
It led to him signing with running agents Josh and Carrie Cox of San Diego and a shoe deal with Asics.
Richtman’s LA time tied for the seventh-fastest marathon run by an American.
“So much can happen in a marathon,” Richtman said. “I wanted to stay in the pack the first hour and make a move if I was feeling good.”
He did just that, joined by three Kenyan runners, but pulled away over the next 5K. He earned $10,000 for the win and a $10,000 bonus for winning the gender battle.
Elite women runners started 16:05 before the elite men and the first finisher took the extra cash.
“I was pretty pumped crossing the line,” Richtman said. “It’s hard to know where you’re at in training, especially never having run this race this much at that point.
“I knew a little bit about the field, but not a whole lot. Winning certainly was the goal coming in, but it’s really more race-day motivation.”
Richtman high school highlights included winning the Class 2A state title in cross country among seven all-state finishes.
He spent two years in college at Bradley before finishing up at Montana State, where he was an All-American his final two years.
His two sisters — Rebecca, a year older, and Rachel, two years younger — have run in college as well.
Rebecca, a four-time NAIA All-American for Montana Tech, now coaches distance runners at Purdue. Rachel, Kaneland’s only four-time all-state cross country runner, is a fifth-year senior at Colorado in Colorado Springs.
All three trained at much greater altitude in college — Matt at 4,817 feet, Rebecca at 5,538 and Rachel at 6,035 — than home at Elburn’s 840 feet.
“Bozeman was a good opportunity to explore a little bit while still in school, and (the altitude) definitely did impact my training,” Matt said.
He finished second in his first competitive race longer than 6.2 miles, running a half-marathon for fun last June in Missoula, Montana, with former teammates after completing his mechanical engineering degree.
“I’ve always liked longer distances,” said Richtman, who then set his sights on the marathon.
Richtman came home and lived with his parents, Tom and Karen. He planned and designed his own marathon training and also volunteered at Kaneland, helping his former cross country coach Chad Clarey with the team.
“I’d run with them every day, saw how high school kids respond to every little thing, and it helped my running,” Richtman said.
Richtman returned to Bozeman to continue his training, which was preceded March 2 by the USATF Half-Marathon Championships in Atlanta, where he finished sixth in 1:01.14
It prompted his agent Josh, a two-time U.S. 50K record holder and three-time U.S. national team member, to post on X, “He won’t sneak up on anyone now. Dude is a contender. Matt is special.”
Last Sunday, Richtman proved it.
Clarey still remembers his young runner who would finish a race, usually first, then turn around at the line and proceed to shake hands or high-five fellow competitors as they crossed the line.
“He’s just a pure soul, so humble, and a kid who cares for everyone, but also competitive and someone who appreciates others who push him,” Clarey said. “Because of his young age and not many miles on his body, the Olympic marathon is a real possibility for him.”
Richtman isn’t sure where his next marathon will be — likely Berlin in September, Chicago in October or New York in November — but it should include a nice appearance fee, given the exposure he has gained.
As for the 2028 Olympics, which will be in Los Angeles?
“It’s definitely a dream,” Richtman said. “I’m trying to stay a little bit reserved. It’s three, four years away. I’m really focusing on each race as it comes.
“Last week definitely gives me confidence moving forward.”
