With star-studded city streets, iconic pop culture landmarks and an electric atmosphere, the ASICS LA Marathon stands as one of America’s most celebrated spring road races. Whether you’re chasing a Boston Marathon qualifying time, ticking off a bucket-list city or tackling your first charity run, LA delivers a blockbuster race day.
Distance: Marathon, 26.2 miles
Location: Los Angeles, California, USA
Date: Sunday 14 March 2027
Start: Dodger Stadium
Finish: Avenue of the Stars, Century City
Terrain: Road / Paved
Course profile: Net downhill overall, featuring rolling hills in the first half and a tactical, gentle climb late in the race.
The LA Marathon offers a tour of Southern California’s rich cultural tapestry, taking you from baseball royalty directly into movie magic territory.
The journey begins at Chavez Ravine outside Dodger Stadium, where thousands of excited runners assemble as the morning sun hits the city skyline. The opening miles take you through Chinatown and historic Downtown LA, offering an early energy boost from enthusiastic spectator crowds lining the streets.
After looping back past Echo Park, you’ll head west along Sunset Boulevard towards Hollywood. Miles 10 through 14 take you down Hollywood Boulevard, running straight over the famous stars of the Hollywood Walk of Fame and past historic venues like TCL Chinese Theatre and Dolby Theatre.
Passing through West Hollywood and the world-famous Sunset Strip, you’ll enter Beverly Hills around mile 18, taking in the stunning boutiques of Rodeo Drive.
The final section takes runners along San Vicente Boulevard through Brentwood before circling back towards Century City. Crossing the finish line on Avenue of the Stars, with city skyscrapers towering overhead, makes for a true red-carpet finish you’ll remember forever.
The elevated start line offers expansive views of the city before you descend into historic Downtown and past the Chinatown Dragon Gate.
Running straight down Hollywood Boulevard past iconic theatres and golden star plaques provides a high-energy boost near the middle miles.
A glamorous stretch through palm-lined avenues and luxury shopping districts as you make your way toward the home stretch.
Yes and no. While the course features a net elevation loss (finishing at a lower altitude than it starts), the rolling hills, sharp turns, and late-race elevation changes make steady pacing essential for a fast finish time.
The LA Marathon is considered a rolling course. It drops roughly 200 feet overall from start to finish, but it includes short, noticeable climbs in the first few miles around Downtown LA and a mid-race roll through West Hollywood and Brentwood.
Yes! With a generous 6-hour and 30-minute time limit, world-class aid station support, and thousands of enthusiastic spectators lining the route, LA is extremely welcoming for first-time marathoners.
The event is one of the largest marathons in the United States, drawing over 25,000 runners and tens of thousands of cheering fans every year.
General entries typically open in the late summer or early autumn of the preceding year via the official website. Alternatively, runners can secure entry immediately by joining an official charity team with realbuzz.
From historic stadium departures to iconic Hollywood streets, the LA Marathon offers an unforgettable 26.2-mile journey through the heart of Southern California.