The 2004 racing season is off to a good start for Cheri Blauwet, who successfully defended her title at the Los Angeles Marathon Sunday. The first-year medical student won the women’s wheelchair division in the 26.2-mile race with a finishing time of 1:54:02.

“Compared with last year, I’ve had to decrease my volume of training to keep up with my classes, but in general I’ve felt great,” said Blauwet, an internationally acclaimed wheelchair athlete. “I’ve been working with my coach to make sure that I get quality endurance training.”

Next up for Blauwet is the Boston Marathon on April 19 where last year she placed second. That race is the world’s oldest annual marathon and one of the most elite athletic events of any kind. She also plans to compete in the 2004 Paralympics in Athens, Greece, in September.

In November, Blauwet won the New York Marathon for the second consecutive year, setting a course record.