Los Angeles Marathon Reviews

  Sun, Fun, and HILLS!

By AL about 2024

Review

The LA Marathon was a tremendous experience. The expo was in the parking lot of Dodger Stadium, and was quite a bit smaller than other pre-race expo's I'd experienced before in Chicago and Boston, but it was still nice. The race merch was a little boring/basic. People lined much of the route, with the last 8 miles having great crowds, and run-clubs, cheering runners on. The post-race logistics were a little challenging as it was a VERY long walk to get out of the fenced in recovery area. It probably took about 20 minutes of walking to get back to the race route and was a bit confusing.

Race Tips

Don't push it too hard on the early hills as the approximately 950 ft of hills persist throughout the course. Though they do abate in steepness and duration in the late miles, they are still there.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Because of traffic it will probably hard for friends and family to see you multiple times throughout unless they see you in the first couple of miles and then head to post up somewhere miles 19-22, where you can see folks in both directions so it's easy to cross the street (no fencing/barriers along this stretch).

  Marathon was great

By DI about 2020

Review

Marathon was great even though it has now changed its route a bit.

  Very well run event

By Rick M about 2019

Review

Great course, well run and plenty of spectators. I've run it 5 times. However I would absolutely NOT profile this as a downhill course. It is a rolling hill course with a number of ups and downs. It's challenging but worth it.

Race Tips

Similar to another reviewer. The first few miles tempt you to go faster than you should. Be conscious of running only steady in the first 10k. Then slowly build from there and save some strength for miles 20 - 22

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Take the shuttles. Well organized

  I like course, fans and weather.

By Mario Trujillo about 2018

Review

I like course, fans and weather.

  Start out easy and save your energy for the last 6.2 miles (6x finisher)

By CE about 2018

Review

I love the way the public comes out and cheers the athletes on. My favorite part of the race is at the top of 1st St/Grand with the Japanese drummers. The energy of the drummers carries you up the hill.

Race Tips

Start out easy and save your energy for the last 6.2 miles.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Take the early shuttles buses to the start line. There is only one way into the stadium and the traffic is horrendous. Take the bus. They are available from Santa Monica or Union Station.

  

By DB about 2018

  Iconic, Well Organized Race

By Dave B about 2018

Review

The course takes you past most of what I'd consider iconic LA, including the Dodger Stadium start, Chinatown, Downtown, Echo Park, The Hollywood Walk of Fame, Rodeo Drive, The Miracle Mile, and it ends right near the Santa Monica Pier on Ocean Avenue. The support along the race was outstanding. Plenty of water stations and supporters out there offering oranges, extra water, gatoraide...pretty much anything you needed. The expo was great too....with easy packet pickup.

Race Tips

Train HILLS. This is definitely a tactical race. While you might look at the general elevation and think, "WOOHOO! NET DOWNHILL!" Not so fast. There are a couple of huge hills at the beginning of the course that you really need to pace yourself through....and there's an uphill section between mile 19 and 24ish of the course, including a really steep section up Sepulveda starting at mile 20. If you haven't paced and prepared yourself to get through that, then your legs will be way too fried to take advantage of the downhill at the end of the course.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

I took the train back downtown after the race. WAY better than being stuck in Santa Monica traffic.

  Well organized and the best crowds.

By ce about 2017

Review

Lots of hills at the beginning of the race.

Race Tips

Park in Santa Monica and take the shuttle bus the start line.

  Like getting a tour of LA from the ground

By GTB about 2017

Review

It's a fast course that starts and ends in cooler parts of the greater LA area. It winds through many interesting neighborhoods and iconic sections of the city. It's like getting a tour of LA from the ground.

Race Tips

Bring something to keep you warm at Dodger Stadium before the race and that you can toss out at the start.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Stay in Santa Monica, if possible. The bus will take you to the start line and is very efficient and free. Get your reservation early though, the best locations in Santa Monica that are close to the finish sell out early.

  

By Melissa Tate about 2017

Review

This marathon had so much motivation the whole way, loved the many high school bands and cheerleaders out giving support. That was really motivation to me because it took me back to hight school Friday night football games and made me feel young!. There was plenty of food, water and sports drink along the course everywhere. Very organized and everyone I encountered was extremely nice.

Race Tips

You don't have to over pack water, gels, etc....because there are so much along the course everywhere. Loved that they thought of everything from sunscreen to Vasoline just when you seemed to need them. Last 3 miles were great because of the gradual downhill slightly

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

I stayed in downtown LA and rode the free shuttle bus back to the hotel at the end. I would love to do this one again but since I live in NC I will have to see. I have did 11 Marathons and this one was by far my favorite!!

  

By Jackie Cox about 2017

Review

Great course.

Race Tips

It's not all down hill.

  

By HJT about 2017

Review

LA is deceivingly difficult due to the rolling hills and the temperatures encountered along the way. I've run New York which was the Verrazano Bridge at Mile 1 and the 59th street bridge (a monster) at mile 15. Although LA doesn't have the dramatic changes in height, it does have a multitude of hills, combined with usually warmer than ideal marathon weather, it's a tough run. It took me 90 minutes longer to finish LA as opposed to NYC six months prior. With that said, it is still a bucket list marathon.

Race Tips

After mile 23, it is all downhill from there but by the time I got there, my legs were already shredded.

  

By KW about 2016

Review

Well organized, easy parking and transportation (lines for the bus are long and it can be cool so you need something warm) great crowd support and great run down to the finish line.

Race Tips

Course is hilly so be prepared, it can be hot but there are tall buildings to get shade from.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Santa Monica, book in advance for parking and the shuttle. Leave some extra time to get into the Santa Monica parking lots, getting out of Santa Monica was a breeze and parking for family supporting me was easy and can be paid for in advance

  

By Ken Walker about 2016

Review

Great course and great atmosphere. Run to the finish was amazing with great support all around the course.

Race Tips

Try to stay in the shade but without having to cross the road for water etc and train on hills beforehand. Get as far up the coral as you can and watch for discarded clothes items. Last years race was in February so it was cool waiting for the bus and at the start line.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

I found it easy to park downtown San Diego with reservation and buses were regular to the start line. Wife came later as spectator and found parking easy.

  

By JR about 2013

Review

Course is entirely up or down - virtually no flats. the major downhills @ start and mile 15 shed the elevation too quickly to benefit you vs the hills. Only the final 2 miles to finish are a "downhill" you can really use - IF you still have the legs.

  

By LBJ about 2013

Race Tips

Challenging course with many uphill sections throughout. I don't see this as an easy or downhill course as advertised. This is a beast that will eat you alive unless you can hammer and recover from the rollers.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Well organized. Stay downtown and take a shuttle to the start.

  

By JPB about 2013

Review

Ran the 2013 Asics LA Marathon and I thought it was very well organized and the route lived up to its promise of running by LA landmarks, i.e. Hollywood, Beverly Hills, etc. The weather was perfect 55-59 degrees. Spectator's turn out was good from miles 10-finish. The course was not difficult but did have some challenging rolling hills late in the race around miles 19-21. I didn't PR but ran my 2nd fastest time.

Race Tips

The course is comprised of rolling hills. Be sure to save a little for the challenging hills around miles 19-21. Miles 23-finish is mostly downhill.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

If your travelling for the race, stay at the finish, i.e. Santa Monica as the race will shuttle you from Santa Monica City Hall to Dodger stadium in the morning. The race offers discounted hotels in Santa Monica near the beach for a good discount. Go through the race website.