Los Angeles Marathon
Stadium to the sea -- run from Dodger Stadium to the Santa Monica Pier.
Los Angeles, California
Mid-March
42.195 km
252 m
~25,000 athletes
Course Highlights
- Dodger Stadium start
- Hollywood Boulevard and Walk of Fame
- Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills
- San Vicente Boulevard through Brentwood
- Santa Monica Pier finish with ocean views
The Course
The Los Angeles Marathon starts inside Dodger Stadium, giving runners the unique experience of beginning a marathon on a professional baseball field. The course immediately descends through Echo Park and into downtown LA before heading west along Sunset Boulevard through Silver Lake and Hollywood. Runners pass the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the TCL Chinese Theatre, and the Sunset Strip.
The middle miles travel through West Hollywood and Beverly Hills along Santa Monica Boulevard, passing Rodeo Drive and the luxury shopping district. The course then turns onto San Vicente Boulevard and heads into Brentwood, a tree-lined residential stretch that provides welcome shade on warmer days.
The final miles head down the gentle slope of San Vicente toward Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica. The finish line is steps from the Santa Monica Pier, with the Pacific Ocean providing a stunning backdrop. The point-to-point course has a net downhill profile, but the rolling terrain through the Hollywood Hills area keeps it from being an easy day.
History
The Los Angeles Marathon was first held in 1986. The course has undergone several route changes, with the current "Stadium to the Sea" point-to-point format introduced in 2010. This route has become one of the most scenic and recognizable marathon courses in the United States.
The race typically attracts around 25,000 participants and is known for its celebrity sightings, entertainment-industry atmosphere, and the unique thrill of running through some of America's most iconic neighborhoods.
How to Train for LA Marathon
Prepare for heat
March in LA can bring temperatures into the 70s and 80s Fahrenheit by late morning. Train in warm conditions and practice aggressive hydration and sodium replacement. Starting early helps, but the last miles can still be hot and exposed.
Train on the downhills
The net downhill profile from Dodger Stadium to the sea means significant quad-pounding descents, especially in the first few miles. Include downhill long runs in your training to protect against muscle damage that would slow you in the second half.
Manage the rolling middle miles
Despite the net downhill, the middle section through Hollywood and Beverly Hills has several rollers. Do not treat this as a flat, fast course. Train on rolling terrain and save energy for the gradual descent to Santa Monica.
Free training plans
Half marathon to marathon
A free 16-week plan to step up from the half to the full marathon: five runs a week and a long run that builds from 1h 40m to 3 hours.
16 weeksMarathon (16 weeks)
A free 16-week marathon plan: six runs a week, a long run that builds to 2h 45m, a recovery week every fourth week, a peak in week 13 and a three-week taper.
16 weeksMarathon (20 weeks)
A free 20-week marathon plan with a gentle build: five runs a week, a long run that grows to 3 hours, a recovery week every fourth week and a three-week taper.
20 weeksSub-4 hour marathon
A free 16-week plan to break 4 hours in the marathon: six runs a week, goal-pace sessions at 5:41 per km (9:09 per mile) and long runs to 3h 10m.
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