Dr. William “Bill” Burke, the founder of the Los Angeles Marathon, who became famous for creating a world-class race without doing anything, died on Friday at the age of 87.
Burke's family and the race organization both confirmed his passing in public statements late Friday.
“It is with great sadness, deep love, and deep gratitude that we share the passing of our husband and father Dr. William A. 'Bill' Burke, who passed away peacefully on May 29, 2026 at the age of 87, surrounded by his loving family,” his relatives said in a statement, according to the LA Sentinel. “Bill lived a life of purpose, giving, and service. He believed deeply that everyone deserved the opportunity to live a healthy, fulfilling life, and he spent decades working to make that vision a reality.”
Burke is survived by his wife, longtime County Supervisor Yvonne Brathwaite Burke, and their two children, Christine and Autumn, according to a family statement.
Born May 13, 1939, in Ohio, Burke served in the US Air Force before working as a communications manager and assistant to members of the California Assembly and the Los Angeles City Council, according to a 1987 Times profile.
After serving as tennis commissioner during the city's 1984 Olympic Games, Burke said he was overwhelmed by the sense of community and enthusiasm the international sporting event fostered.
“I decided what I would like to do for the rest of my life, which is to see what I can do to recreate that feeling for myself and other people,” he told The Times.
Using his old political connections, Burke won the right to run the city's first race over two other applicants in 1984, after the City Council approved a resolution to organize the race.
His involvement was met with astonishment from the running community – how could this man with no racing experience organize a successful race when four previous attempts had failed? But Burke was more focused on marketing than questions about whether he ever hit the road at 26.2 miles.
“This race is like this not for runners. This race is for the people and the city of Los Angeles,” he told The Times.
Burke entered the market, organizing billboards, marathon-branded Coca-Cola cans and Vons shopping bags. The first marathon under Burke's leadership took place in 1986, and 11,000 runners reached the starting line, about half the size of the long-running and world-famous New York City Marathon that year.
Since then, the event has exploded in size and quality. Earlier this year, 27,000 runners tore through the city on a winding route from Dodger Stadium to Century City.
American Nathan Martin won the race in a photo finish, tracking Kenya's Michael Kimani Kamau to win his final race, winning in 00.01 seconds. Both runners finished well ahead of the USA Track & Field qualifiers for the 2028 Olympic Games, which will also be held in Los Angeles.
Burke's oversight of the marathon was controversial. In 2004, the city and the Los Angeles Marathon, Inc. – Burke's company – hit the headlines after moving the trademark to the official racing logo.
The legal agreement allowed Burke to sell merchandise bearing the marathon's logo for an expected profit in the millions, as long as he paid the city. Some questioned the merits of the deal since Burke had donated to the political campaigns of many of the council members who approved the deal.
In addition to his work in racing, Burke served as chairman of the South Coast Air Quality Management District for decades. The organization works to combat air pollution throughout Southern California and the Inland Empire.
“Bill will be remembered for his big heart, his unwavering optimism, his sense of humor, and his belief that one person can make a difference. His legacy lives on not only in the institutions he helped shape, but in the countless lives he touched along the way,” Burke's family said in a statement. “It is comforting to know that he is somewhere else fishing, telling a funny story and enjoying the love of his friends and family.”
