LA Marathon Course and Tips

Anyone getting ready to run the LA Marathon needs to read this post! It’s everything we, as running coaches, share with our athletes to have the best possible race day possible. LA marathon tips

Hopefully these few key pieces to help make life easier! Once you start to realize how long it takes to train for a marathon, I hope you’ve started looking at the right plan!

And then you started thinking…should my training be any different for a flat marathon? Yes.

Is there anything different about the Los Angeles Marathon Course that I should prepare for? Yes.

I’m so glad you’re thinking ahead and hope these tips will help you have a great race whether it’s your first or you’re out for a Personal Record. Let’s chat about some key LA marathon tips!

Quick Jump

LA Marathon Tips

With any race, I have a few standard recommendations for our athletes:

Try not to walk around a ton before the race
Have your pre-race dinner and morning of meal with you or planned out, so you know it’s food you tolerate
Don’t get sucked in to driving the course :) you should have been training for whatever the elevation looks like and that’s all you can control

#1 Train for Rolling Hills

While the LA marathon is a net downhill, there are plenty of small rolling hills to be had from start to finish of this course. If you’ve been avoiding hills on your runs, that’s going to catch up to you big time come race day.

The total elevation gain is about 950 feet. If you’ve been getting that much in your 13 mile runs, then you’re going to feel so much stronger come race day when it’s spread out over even more miles.

Include hill repeats in your early speed workouts
Doing avoid hilly routes for either week day easy runs or long runs

The old stadium to Sea La Marathon course changed in 2021, which is why you now have to do a small out and back instead of finishing on the beach. Kind of a bummer because I think we can all agree the mall isn’t the same beauty as the ocean.

But you’ll still be getting some great sites throughout: Dodger’s Stadium, the Capitol Records building, Pantages Theater, Disney Hall, and Rodeo Drive.

los angeles marathon tips

#2 Stay Near the Finish Line

If you don’t want to say near the finish, just know this is a time where staying near the start is not to your advantage!

You can park at the start, BUT THERE IS NO SHUTTLE back to the start from the finish
Instead, they are offering free shuttles from the finish line to the start line
You’ll have to pay for parking

Hence, it’s way easier if you happen to be somewhere near the finish line that you can walk to the shuttles and avoid traffic or parking hassles.

Additionally when the race is over, you aren’t trying to figure out transportation or get around closed roads. Instead, you’ll be a walk away from a shower and food.

#3 Be Prepared for the Heat

While the average LA marathon temperature is roughly 58 degrees Fahrenheit at the start, that could feel warm if you’ve been training through the winter. Also know that it will be humid and obviously the temperature will increase the longer you are out there.

If you’ve been running only in 30 degree temps, consider adding some layers to your outdoor runs or spending some time on the treadmill.

Additionally, you’ll want to stay on top of electrolytes while traveling and during the race.

Checkout my tips for running in the heat and humidity for how to adapt >>

#4 Plan for Race Morning

A few things you need to know specifically around the LA Marathon Starting area. They have reinstated gear check at the race start line, so you don’t have to plan ahead to do this at the expo.

Security Gates

This is a large race with over 30,000 participants, so much like NYC and Chicago, you will go through security gates before entering Dodgers Stadium at the start line.

They may check your hydration pack, but not to worry they are allowed!

Corrals

You will have a sticker on your bib that indicates your corral and this is being checked before you’re let in.

Corrals close about 20 minutes before the full start, so 6:40AM they close with the mass start being at 7:00AM.

Once you get in to your corral, know that it could still be awhile before you cross the start line. Try to contain your nerves and energy. If you’re bouncing around, well again you’re wasting energy.

Sit Down

They tell you to get there two hours early. I found this to be way too much time, especially if you find the shorter bathroom lines. I’d say 90 minutes is plenty.

If you do get there early, sit down. Don’t waste tons of energy standing around.

**Note though you will be in Dodger’s Stadium, you are not allowed to sit in the stands.

You’re about to run 26.2 miles and standing is taking energy, and making your legs sore. Sit. Wait. Then get up do some dynamic moves and get in to your corral.

#5 LA Marathon Course Strategy

This course is largely point to point, which for many athletes is great mentally because it doesn’t feel like backtracking. I also LOVE that there are not a lot of turns in this course because that makes it much easier to settle in to your goal pace.

LA Marathon Course

Miles 1-5

Taking off you’ll have that adrenaline rush as always, so though it’s crowded try to stick to settling in to your goal pace and not overrunning this section of the race. You’ll be running a slight downhill for the first 3 miles which means maybe allowing yourself a few seconds over goal pace, but not 30 seconds!

This sections has most turns and most buildings. Use it to your advantage to stay calm and know that you’ve got a long ways to go, so right now is just the warm up. About mile 4 you’ll start entering a long section of small rolling hills.

A number of runners have noted that the start was very slow because of congestion and lots of weaving and bobbing around walkers and all kinds of people just everywhere not really following proper race etiquette.

This is going to make it really important that you get seeded in the right corral.

Limit Your Weaving

No matter where you start in such a crowded course there’s going to be a need to pass people.

Try not to make any massive weaves, this will add distance to your race
Just move slightly to the side and keep going
If you run in to a large pile up, it’s probably a pace group. Try to move to the side to get away from the pacer if you don’t like all the jostling.

Miles 5-9

You’ll be in a section with some very slight rolling hills. This is great to change up the muscles being used and keep you engaged in sticking to your goal pace.

The best news is that the streets will widen out here, so you might feel like you can finally get some space from other runners if things are feeling too crowded.

Miles 10-15

You’ve officially entered the Hollywood zone and should absolutely just allow yourself to look around and take it all in. This is where you will get a much needed boost from more crowds and more music!

You’ll also find porta potties at each aid station if you are in need.

Once again when it comes to pacing this is a race where we’re aiming to stay withing a few seconds of your goal pace. Even pacing is the most ideal way to PR the LA marathon!

Miles 16-19

Welcome to Beverly Hills. Your race plan isn’t changing, but at least the scenery keeps changing to keep the whole thing very interesting!

Remember you MUST have a good marathon fueling strategy or this is where you could start to hit the wall.

Miles 20-25

The out and back is now happening, which means you’ll be seeing those ahead of you coming back on the other side of the road, which can either mess with your mind or give you a boost because that means the end is close!

The official turn around point is mile 22, which means you’ve got 4.2 miles left to the finish line. Once you turn around use the energy of all those still flowing behind you to keep pushing.

Miles 25 – 26.2

Because would it be a race if it didn’t finish on a uphill?? This is very slight, so don’t let it get in your head, just stay focused on that final goal which is now within reach.

The crowds through here are great to keep giving you that extra boost.

#6 Los Angeles Marathon Weather is Unpredictable

Theoretically the time of year means you should get really favorable marathon temps. The ideal race day temps are in the 40’s for fast finishes, but LA is usually a bit warmer than that.

A good year is a start of around 55 degrees with decent humidity.

However, LA guarantees nothing. There have been years with torrential rain, years where it was colder and years where it was hotter.

If it’s one of the hot and humid mornings, then you need to know that your HR will climb faster and your effort level will be higher much earlier.

Start your race a bit more conservatively
Stay on top of both hydration and electrolytes (I saw many people pull out due to muscle cramps)
Run through every possible hose, sprinkler or sponge made available

If it’s a rainy day, then checkout my tips for running in the rain. You want to do what you can to keep things dry at the start line. After that it’s just game on!

LA Marathon FAQS

A few of your common questions as well!

Do You Have to Qualify for the LA Marathon?

No. LA has an open registration and has not yet moved to a lottery system.

Fast runners can use a time qualifier to apply during a set period and get in to specific corrals
There is a Charity Half Marathon within the marathon that requires you to raise funds for charity

What are the Cutoff Times for the LA Marathon?

Technically they have a 6 hour 30 minute cut off from the time that the last person crosses the start line.

However, like other races they will allow those taking longer to still finish and have it count. That does not mean they will keep all streets open and aid stations available, so plan to move to the sidewalks and carry your own fuel.