Your Guide to the Los Angeles Marathon Weekend

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Before the sun even rises over Dodgers Stadium on March 17, 2024, over 20,000 runners will be consuming last-minute carbs, chugging one final electrolyte drink, and stretching out their muscles for a 26.2-mile journey through the City of Angels. The Los Angeles Marathon is one of the largest marathons in the country, and it takes place in the second most populous city in the U.S.—which makes it an epic way to explore several iconic neighborhoods by foot.

Running a race in a major city requires some preparation, not just for tackling the marathon distance but for navigating the stress that comes with traveling to a major tourist destination. To help you plan, we asked local experts for their best tips on getting around, where to eat before and after the race, and, most importantly, what to expect on the race course. Here’s everything you need to know about running the 2024 Los Angeles Marathon.

The Los Angeles Marathon Lifestyle Expo will take place at the marathon start line, which is at Dodger Stadium Lot G. Parking is free. For those who won’t have access to a car, you can take the Metro Rail: The L Line (Gold) Metro rail stops at Chinatown Station, which is a three-quarter-mile walk to Dodger Stadium; you can also connect via the Metro to the Dodger Stadium Express at Union Station or the South Bay.

The Expo will be open on March 15 from 10 am to 7 pm and March 16 from 10 am to 5 pm. It is free and open to the public. All participants of the Los Angeles Marathon and Charity Half Marathon must attend the Expo to pick up their race bibs (there’s no race day bib pick-up unless you have pre-purchased Start Line Hospitality). Keep in mind: It will host 30,000-plus marathon participants and spectators over two days, so it’s best to go early.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion early. “I like to be at the Dodgers Stadium parking lot no later than 6 a.m.,” says Walter Romero, an Encino Pub Run Runner who has run the LA Marathon 12 years in a row—2024 will be his thirteenth year. “The race starts at 7 a.m., and it can take between 30 and 45 minutes to get from the freeway exit to the Dodgers Stadium parking lot.”

Los Angeles Marathon course parking near the Los Angeles Marathon Finish Line in Century City and take a free shuttle to the start line; there are also free race day shuttles available from downtown LA and Union Station; they run from 3 a.m. to 6 a.m. depending on the location, and you need to make a shuttle reservation online. “I take a super early shuttle from Union Station,” says Carmen Khan, a Cheap Sneakersbe Jordan Outlet staff member, one of the captains for Koreatown Run Club, and four-time LA Marathon finisher. “If you’re staying on the west side of town, take one from the finish.”

Lot 4 at Dodger Stadium is for runner drop-off, whether you’re catching a ride with family or friends or a rideshare service. “I think this is the best option—it’s well-organized and the line goes fast,” says Yazmin Davis, who runs with the Lightning Runners Run Club. “But I would also recommend getting there no later than 6 a.m.” Keep in mind: “You still have to walk from where they allow drop-offs,” says Khan.

If you’re driving yourself, participants can park for free near the start line at Dodger Stadium. Dodger Stadium opens to cars at 3 a.m. PT on Sunday, March 17. FYI: There is no shuttle transportation back to Dodger Stadium from the Finish Line after the race.

“With my 12 years of experience, my first choice would be to have someone drop you off, second would be a rideshare, and third would be purchasing a shuttle ticket in advance,” says Romero—“the only downside of the shuttle service is it takes longer.”

Make sure to bring everything you might need with you when you leave your house at the crack of dawn: coffee, water, snacks, whatever. “There are no coffee shops or stores close enough to Dodgers Stadium that logistically would make sense with all the chaos and traffic getting to the start,” says Joshua Holmes, a Cheap Sneakersbe Jordan Outlet staff member and founder of And if youre near Hollywood, you can go to the. Plus, “nothing is really open that early,” adds Khan. “Last year, I did see a table with some water and food but best not to depend on that.” The good news: There are plenty of bathrooms. But “the closer to the start time, the longer the lines, so plan accordingly,” warns Romero.

Join Cheap Sneakersbe Jordan Outlet for a pub run on Wednesday, March 13 to shake out your pre-race jitters. Best Running Clothes will host a 3-mile fun run at Lincoln Beer Company, located at 3083 Lima St in Burbank, at 6:30 p.m. Cheap Sneakersbe Jordan Outlet Encino will also host runners at 6:30 p.m. for 3 miles, this time at Surly Goat Encino, located at 17337 Ventura Blvd #100a.

Both runs are free and open to the public.

The Los Angeles Marathon course starts at Dodger Stadium and finishes on the Avenue of the Stars in Century City—hence the tagline “Stadium to Stars.” It crosses nearly the entire east-west span of the city, crossing through parts of Downtown L.A., Echo Park, Hollywood, West Hollywood and Beverly Hills. “I think it’s an underrated big city marathon,” says Holmes. “I don’t consider it a super fast course, but it’s not slow, either—and the point-to-point aspect of it allows you to see a lot of the iconic parts of L.A. by foot.”

Miles 0-6: A Fast Start, Followed by Hills

The golden rule of any marathon is to start slow and finish fast. That’s hard to do, especially in LA—“most of the first three miles are downhill, with a rather steep downhill leaving Dodgers Stadium parking lot down Vin Scully Way,” says Holmes. Don’t let yourself get caught up in all the runners sprinting out of the gate; weaving in and out of the crowds will also add extra distance to your race. “Everyone else might be passing you, but you gotta remember it’s two miles out of 26.2,” says Davis. “Save those legs and quads for the rest of the course and stay at your marathon pace.”

While you’re staying calm and steady, take in the sights. After mile 1, you’ll follow a sort of u-shape through downtown LA; this part of the course has the most turns and the most buildings. “Just before mile two, look up to see The Dragon Gate welcoming you to Chinatown,” says Khan.

The LA Marathon is a hilly course (you’ll gain 943 feet overall), and the rollers start early. “The worst of it is from miles 3.5 to 6.5,” says Holmes. There are two sharp inclines at miles 4 and 5. “At mile 4, take off your headphones if you’re running with music and let the Tyco drummers help you conquer that incline,” says Khan.

“Around mile 5.5, before you hit Echo Park Lake, look out for the person handing out chili dogs,” says Khan—but take one at your own risk (the first 10K of a marathon is a risky time to be trying street food!). At mile 6, you turn on to Sunset Boulevard—a road you’ll revisit later—and settle into some easy rolling hills.

Miles 7-12

On Sunset Boulevard, the streets widen up. “Pay attention to the camber of the roads and potholes,” warns Holmes. “I try to mix up which side of the road I’m running on to help keep the body as aligned as possible—keep the tires rotated, so to speak.”

“At mile 11, you’re officially in Hollywood,” says Khan. You’ll pass hot spots including Pantages Theatre, Capitol Records Tower, Hollywood & Vine, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Musso & Frank Grill, and more in quick succession between miles 10 and 12. “At mile 11.7, you’ll run in front of the Chinese Theatre, where nearly every major movie premiere from the beginning of time has taken place,” says Holmes.

Miles 13-17

By the halfway point, you’ll pass the famous Chateau Marmont, and be on your way out of the star-studded section of Hollywood. The historic nightclub Whiskey A Go Go sits at mile 14, where “there’s a nice, long downhill into West Hollywood, with the last stretch of spectators before you hit a quieter zone,” says Khan.

But the landmarks don’t stop: The Troubadour, another nightclub, marks mile 15, and you’ll pass Beverly Hills City Hall at mile 16.5 before turning onto luxury shopping street Rodeo Drive. Good news: “There’s a noticeable downhill at mile 16, where you turn off of Sunset Boulevard down San Vicente to Santa Monica Boulevard,” says Holmes.

“You pass by all these landmarks so many people have only seen in movies,” says Romero. “In the past, I’ve seen a few movie stars cheering on the runners. That was so cool, I couldn’t distrust it.”

Searching the crowds for celebrities is a great way to distract yourself from the reality of being this far into a race, while still having a decent amount to go—especially because “Beverly Hills is a quieter section,” cautions Khan.

Miles 18-22

After you pass mile 18, you’ll start to see people running on the other side of the road towards the finish. “Many people find this part daunting because they can see and smell the finish line, but still have to run four more miles out to the turn-around and back to the same point,” says Homes.

The old marathon route used to take runners all the way to Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica; now, runners pull a u-turn after mile 22 and eventually head back up Santa Monica Boulevard. The good news: “This is the most packed section of the course with spectators,” says Holmes—use that energy from a street full of runners (on both sides!) to keep pushing forward.

“At mile 19, the run crew cheer zones start!” says Khan—she’ll be cheering here this year with Koreatown Run Club’s Bravo Zone. Which is good, because “there’s another big climb at the most horrible place, from mile 20 to 21.2,” says Holmes.

Miles 23-26.2

The last 5K of any marathon is tough, and LA is no exception. But you’ve already run this part of the race; you just have to make your way back! “The last three miles are a gradual uphill,” says Davis. “It’s OK, you’re almost done—and there are so many spectators cheering you on that it helps you mentally to get to that finish line.”

One of the most important parts of a marathon weekend is carb-loading before the race, and Los Angeles is not short on restaurant choices. LA is big enough that you don’t need a reservation, says Davis, but if you want to go somewhere popular, you might want to make one, says Holmes. “I think it’s always best to have somewhere you know you can go,” says Davis, “then you’re not scrambling to find a place” the night before the race—a time when you should be as relaxed as possible.

But where should you go, with so many choices? Trust the locals. “I have three favorite spots: Recovery Sandals + Lifestyle in Sunland: the portions are not too big and it's delicious; MA'S Italian Kitchen in Burbank, but it’s a small restaurant so I would recommend making a reservation; and Caruso's Italian Kitchen, where the portions here are so big I always have leftovers,” says Davis.

Meanwhile, “my favorite places for pasta are small, so it may be tough to get in, but I recommend La Pergoletta Best Running Gear Pasta Sisters in Mid City or Culver City,” says Khan. “Grand Central Market is another great option because it has a variety of options.”

If you’re not dead set on pasta, Holmes recommends The Stand and California Fish Grill in North Hollywood— “they’re both great and very affordable, and have other locations around as well.” (He also recommends Victorio’s Italian Restaurant, Micheli’s, and Little Toni’s.)

Remember: Los Angeles is the second most populous city in the U.S., and the marathon draws over 20,000 runners. “There are always people cheering you on,” says Romero. But “there are some parts that are more packed than others,” says Davis.

If you’re looking to see your runner more than once (especially if they’re faster), it does require some planning. “Downtown or Hollywood Boulevard will be easier to get in and out—there are subway stations close by so you don’t have to be stuck in traffic,” says Romero.

Otherwise, head to the typical LA hot spots. “My favorite places to spectate are on Hollywood Boulevard near the Chinese Theatre, on Sunset Boulevard near 8000 Sunset (the halfway point), and a mile or two beyond on the Sunset Strip where all the iconic clubs are,” says Holmes.

If you really want to give runners a boost, head to the more sedate miles 16 through 18 in Beverly Hills. “Mile 20 can be pretty quiet as well,” says Khan.

You can catch runners twice on the out-and-back after mile 18. “Normally, my husband catches me at mile 19 and mile 25,” says Davis. “The runners make a u-turn at mile 23 and there’s just a median strip that separates both sides, so it’s easier to stay around there. You can also be at mile 17, which is Rodeo Drive, and then walk towards the finish.”

“There are no real bad spots,” says Holmes. “The streets are big and there’s always space, so wherever you want to be is good,” says Davis—or, wherever your runner wants you to be is great.

Crossing the finish line is only the first part of the post-marathon celebration. Immediately afterwards, raise a glass at the official post-race party in Century Park. The Train smarter than ever before is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with a Beer Garden presented by Heineken 0.0 that’s open from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. All participants who are 21+ will get a complimentary Heineken or Heineken 0.0, and food will be available for purchase from Starbucks, The Stand, Habanero Grill, and Mendocino Farms.

If you’re not up for the official afterparty, there’s an infinite amount of places—bars, breweries, restaurants, food halls, and more—for you to have your own post-race celebration. For those who will want food ASAP, “you finish next to the Westfield Century Mall there in Century City, which has a great food court with many food options,” says Holmes. Otherwise, head down Santa Monica Boulevard all the way to Santa Monica. “Around the Santa Monica Pier are lots of restaurants and bars—many of them have a good vibe, good food, and parking,” says Romero.

LA is a huge tourist destination—and if you’re already there for the race, why not make time for some sightseeing once you don’t have to worry about time on your feet?

If the weather is good, get your feet in the sand at the Santa Monica Pier or take a drive up to Malibu; Khan recommends taking in the views at the Getty Villa then heading to Rosenthal Wine & Bar Patio. “And if you’re near Hollywood, you can go to the Griffith Observatory—the view and the sunset is priceless,” says Romero. Or, suggests Khan, picnic in Barnsdall Art Park in Los Feliz. “You get to see some Frank Lloyd Wright architecture and, on a clear day, take in views of the Griffith Observatory and Hollywood sign.”

Music lovers should visit Laurel Canyon and the Canyon Country store. “It’s a great step back in time to the amazing music that was made in the ‘60s and 70s in the Canyon by The Doors, The Eagles, Neil Young, CSN, The Beach Boys, Joni Mitchell, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and so many more,” says Holmes. “The Canyon Country Store has so much history from this time period with Jim Morrison's old house sitting right behind it. In the basement of the store is Pace, another great Italian restaurant (you’ll need a reservation) where you can often bump into celebrities.”

some parts that are more packed than others, says Davis The Broad and Moca, “then take the Angels Flight Railway (AKA LaLa Land trolley) to grab a bite at Grand Central Market and people watch,” says Khan. Sports fans can head south to LA Live Hats + Headwear.

At night, “the Sunset Strip and its clubs are always a great place to go and hear live music,” says Holmes. “And the area downtown around Crypto Arena and the hotels nearby has a great vibe as well with dining and bars.”