The Los Angeles Marathon is a point-to-point journey through America's entertainment capital, from the iconic Dodger Stadium to the Pacific Ocean in Santa Monica. The "Stadium to the Sea" course showcases LA's famous neighborhoods and sunny weather, making it one of the most scenic urban marathons in the United States.
The Course
Starting at Dodger Stadium with views of the downtown LA skyline, the course heads west through Hollywood, West Hollywood, and Beverly Hills before finishing on Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica with views of the Pacific.
Hollywood to the Sea
The course passes through LA's most famous areas:
- Dodger Stadium (Start) - Baseball history and downtown views
- Echo Park (mile 2) - Trendy LA neighborhood
- Hollywood (miles 6-8) - Walk of Fame, Chinese Theatre
- West Hollywood (miles 9-11) - The Sunset Strip
- Beverly Hills (miles 12-14) - Rodeo Drive and mansions
- Century City (mile 16) - Office towers and shopping
- Brentwood (miles 20-22) - Wealthy residential area
- San Vicente (mile 23) - The infamous hill
- Santa Monica (Finish) - Ocean Avenue and the Pacific
The Hills of LA
Don't let "net downhill" fool you - the LA Marathon has challenging elevation changes:
- Dodger Stadium descent (miles 1-2) - Steep downhill start
- Silver Lake hills (miles 3-5) - Rolling terrain
- San Vicente climb (mile 23) - The race's hardest moment on tired legs
Why LA?
Running through Hollywood, past Beverly Hills mansions, and finishing at the beach creates a quintessentially Los Angeles experience. The course showcases the city's diversity - from urban grit to glamorous luxury to coastal beauty - in a single morning.
The March timing also makes LA an attractive early-season goal race, with weather that's usually warm but not hot.
Weather Considerations
LA's weather is a double-edged sword:
- Morning start is cool - Often in the 50s°F (10-12°C)
- Afternoon can warm quickly - Can reach 70-80°F (21-27°C)
- Limited shade - Much of the course is exposed
- Hydration crucial - Dry air and sun require extra attention
Getting In
LA uses straightforward open registration:
- Registration opens approximately 6 months before race day
- No lottery or qualification required
- Tiered pricing rewards early registration
- The race typically doesn't sell out, but register early for best pricing
Race Day Tips
- Don't bomb the early downhills - Save your quads for mile 23
- Dress for the finish, not the start - It will warm up significantly
- Take the tangents - The course is accurately 26.2, but running wide adds distance
- Respect San Vicente - The mile 23 hill has broken many races
- The ocean is your reward - Finishing with Pacific views is worth every mile