The Los Angeles Marathon is returning to Santa Monica on Sunday, March 20. Make a note of this date and as you are making your plans for the day, research the exact route.
Last year I was not aware that the marathon was coming through Santa Monica and it took me over an hour to go a distance that usually takes 10 minutes.
Here are some important facts to know:
- More than 20,000 runners are expected to participate in the marathon and thousands of spectators will cheer them on.
- Be aware that some street closures will be in effect in Santa Monica and throughout Los Angeles on the day of the event.
- Be sure to look at the planned route, and check as the event approaches for any updates.
The Los Angeles Marathon became one of the greatest marathon courses in the world essentially overnight. Partly because of the beautiful Santa Monica finish-line is just steps from the Santa Monica Pier. The finish-line has been moved back from Santa Monica Boulevard to California and Ocean Avenues this year to give the runners more recovery space.
Participants will enter Santa Monica on San Vicente Boulevard at mile 23 of the 26.2-mile course, then continue down San Vicente and turn South at Ocean Avenue. Organizers are working on a complete transportation plan to help participants use carpooling and mass transit to cut down on event traffic. The Los Angeles Marathon is more than a race, it is a total community effort. It needs volunteers and staff for check-ins, water stations and more.
Will you be running or volunteering for the marathon? What kind of experiences have you had in the past? Please share your comments below.
Photo courtesy of PlanetC1’s Flickr
