By Teacher Alonzo
Los Angeles Marathon or The LA Marathon is an annual running event which takes place each spring in los Angeles California, it is made up of 26 miles (41 km).Over the course of its 33-year history, the LA Marathon has become one of the largest marathons in the country with more than 25,000 participants, thousands of volunteers and hundreds of thousands of spectators. The historic race, which has seen unprecedented growth since introducing the iconic “Stadium to Sea” course, draws runners from all over the world to take a tour of Los Angeles running past every major landmark. The “Stadium to the Sea” route was not the original route: the original route started at Exposition Park and ended at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and a route around the turn of the millennium both started and ended in Downtown Los Angeles From 2007 to 2008.
Marathon Route
Starting Line
- Mile 1 – Dodger Stadium
- Mile 2 – Cesar Chavez Blvd
- Mile 3 – Downtown LA
- Mile 4 – Disney Concert Hall
- Mile 5 – Downtown LA
- Mile 6 – Echo Park
- Mile 7 – Silverlake
- Mile 8 – Los Feliz
- Mile 9 – Thai Town
- Mile 10 – Hollywood Walk of Fame
- Mile 11 – Grauman’s Chinese ThMile 12 – Hollywood
- Mile 13 – Sunset Strip
- Mile 14 – West Hollywood
- Mile 15 – West Hollywood
- Mile 16 – Doheny Drive
- Mile 17 – Rodeo Drive
- Mile 18 – Santa Monica Blvd
- Mile 19 – Westwood
- Mile 20 – Westwood/Sepulveda Blvd
- Mile 21 – VA/Wilshire Blvd
- Mile 22 – San Vicente & Bundy
- Mile 23 – San Vicente & 26th
- Mile 24 – San Vicente & 14th
- Mile 25 – Ocean Ave/Palisades Park
- Mile 26 – Santa Monica
- Finish Line
What can you find inside the marathon?
AID STATIONS
Twenty two (22) fully-staffed aid stations will feature both Water and Nuun Endurance. Participants are advised to continue moving through the Aid Station if the first tables are too crowded to conveniently obtain fluids.
CLIF SHOT ENERGY GELS
Clif Shot Energy Gels will be available for participants at two locations, Mile 12 and Mile 19.
MEDICAL STATIONS (Keck Medicine of USC)
There is medical support at both the Start and Finish Lines as well as along the course. Medical vans are staged at miles 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, and 24. Medical tents are located at the Finish Line and in the Post Food & Fluid Area on Ocean Ave in Santa Monica. A massage tent is also located at the Finish Line. All treatment will be provided by licensed professionals including physicians, nurses, therapists and medical trainers.
RESTROOMS
There are portable restrooms located at the Start Line, along the entire course just past each Aid Station, and at the Finish Line.
GEAR CHECK
Gear Check is located in Parking Lot K at Dodger Stadium. All gear checked at the Start Line will be transported to the Finish Line for pick-up post-race. Participants must use the clear plastic event-issued Participant Bag to check gear. Non-transparent bags, backpacks, or luggage will NOT be accepted. Do not check anything valuable or fragile as the Los Angeles Marathon is not liable for any loss or damage. Gear Check closes promptly at 6:30.
CLOCKS AND MILE MARKERS
Digital clocks are positioned at locations throughout the course. Digital clocks provide the elapsed event time (gun time). Mile markers will be positioned at each mile. Markers will be positioned at each 5km split. Digital clocks at the Finish Line will display unofficial finish times. The elapsed event time begins with the male elite start.
DROPPING OUT
For runners unable to finish the course, Down Drop Runner vans will be available at various Aid Stations from miles 7-23. If you would like to drop out of the Los Angeles Marathon, make your way to an Aid Station. These vans will provide runners adequate transportation back to the Central Drop Area at the intersection of Main St and Olympic Drive in Santa Monica, which is approximately five blocks from the Finish Area. Runners who have dropped out of the race may not cross the Finish Line. Runners that cross the Finish Line despite having been transported to the Finish via van will be disqualified and barred from future events.
Personal Experience
Running on this marathon was one the biggest challenges in my life. It wasn’t easy, but it wasn’t impossible. This challenge took me a lot of preparation physically and mentally. Dear student I invite you to live the experience of being in a race don’t be afraid just take a risk. Never say never.
Teacher Alonzo R.
(Los Angeles Marathon 2018)
Information Sources:
lamarathon.com