Course Map
About this Race
The Los Angeles Marathon runs its celebrated "Stadium to the Sea"-style point-to-point line through the heart of entertainment-industry Los Angeles, historically starting at Dodger Stadium and tracking west toward the coast. The route is a tour of icons, passing through Hollywood, the Sunset Strip, Beverly Hills, and Rodeo Drive on a deceptively rolling profile with early climbs that catch out the unprepared. Held in spring, it can turn warm and exposed under the California sun, making heat management as important as fitness. The crowds are scattered and star-spangled rather than continuous, in keeping with the city's sprawl. It suits runners chasing the glamour and bucket-list backdrops over a fast time, especially those who pace conservatively through the warmth and the hills.
Course Insight
LA runs largely downhill from Dodger Stadium toward the west, and that net descent is both gift and trap, the early drop tempting a fast start that quietly chews up your quads. The middle is no free ride either, with rolling climbs through Hollywood and long boulevards adding honest work between the descents. The real wildcard is heat: a warm March day on exposed streets can undo a strong build, so respect the sun and your fluids. Take the downhills gently rather than greedily. Run the descents under control and the back half stays under your command instead of running you.
Difficulty Breakdown
Mostly due to significant climbing (290m), tough late hills.
Course Details
- Course type
- Point-To-Point
- Elevation gain
- 290m
- Elevation loss
- 355m
- Highest point
- 170m
- Lowest point
- 61m
- Net drop
- -65m
- Start
- Dodger Stadium
- Cutoff time
- 6h 30m
Course Records
Race History
The Los Angeles Marathon was first held in 1986, launched in the wake of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics to bring a major marathon to the city. Its point-to-point route has evolved over the years into a celebrated tour of entertainment-industry landmarks through Hollywood and Beverly Hills. From its inaugural running it grew into one of the largest marathons in the United States. Held each spring, it now draws tens of thousands of runners chasing the glamour and bucket-list backdrops of the city.
Plan Your Trip
Everything you need to know to get there, get settled, and get to the start line.
- Nearest airport(s)
- Los Angeles International (LAX), Hollywood Burbank (BUR), Long Beach (LGB) & John Wayne (SNA)
- Best area to stay
- West Hollywood for staying on the lively Sunset stretch, Downtown for budget options near the start, and Santa Monica and the Westside for beachside stays near the finish area.
- Getting to the start
- It's effectively point-to-point from Dodger Stadium; take the official shuttle or rideshare to the stadium very early, as the finish lies far west toward Century City.