Next race
Sunday, 7 March 2027
6:55 am start
Distance
42.195 km / 26.2 mi
Urban road
Elevation
Net downhill · 287 m gain
287 m climbing
Race profile
The Los Angeles Marathon is one of the world's largest marathons, drawing approximately 23k finishers on an urban road in Los Angeles, United States. The course starts at Dodger Stadium and finishes at the Avenue of the Stars in Century City. Net downhill overall, though with rolling sections through Hollywood.
Los Angeles Marathon is a certified 42.195 km (26.2 mile) marathon — the standard World Athletics marathon distance.
Approximately 23k finishers
Course & terrain
The Los Angeles Marathon is a point-to-point course from Dodger Stadium to the Avenue of the Stars in Century City, descending through Downtown Los Angeles, Hollywood, West Hollywood, and Beverly Hills. The early net-downhill miles are the easiest to run quickly, the rolling sections through Hollywood and West Hollywood are tougher before the flatter close, and crowds are biggest along Hollywood Boulevard, through West Hollywood, and at the Century City finish.
The Los Angeles Marathon course is net downhill over 42.195 km (26.2 miles). Runners cover 287 metres of climbing and 356 metres of descent, with a net descent of 69 metres from start to finish.
Net downhill · 287 m gain — approx. 89 m above sea level
↑ 287 m · ↓ 356 m · net −69 m
Registration
For the Los Angeles Marathon, the LA Marathon is held in March — typically the second Sunday. Registration is open (no lottery) on the official www.mccourtfoundation.org/event/los-angeles-marathon/ website, with tiered pricing that increases closer to race day. The field is approximately 20,000–25,000 runners. Some charity entries are also available. March in Los Angeles is generally mild (12–18 °C), though LA's weather is notoriously variable — rain, Santa Ana winds, and unexpectedly warm conditions are all possible.
Getting there
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
19 km / 12 mi
Hawthorne (HHR)
Jack Northrop Field Hawthorne Municipal Airport
17 km / 10 mi
Burbank (BUR)
Hollywood Burbank/Bob Hope Airport
20 km / 12 mi
Long Beach (LGB)
Long Beach International Airport
28 km / 17 mi
Race footage
Common questions
Official resources
Last updated 11 October 2026. Edition dates and course details are reviewed regularly.
Close to this race
Other races closest to Los Angeles.
The Long Beach Marathon draws about 4,000 finishers each October along the Southern California coast in Los Angeles County. The course passes the Queen Mary, the Shoreline Village marina, and the Long Beach waterfront on flat coastal terrain. October mild Pacific weather and a flat beachfront profile make it a popular autumn California marathon.
Next race: Sunday, 11 October 2026
The Surf City Marathon draws approximately 3,500 finishers each February along the Pacific coast of Huntington Beach, California — 'Surf City USA.' The out-and-back course follows Pacific Coast Highway with ocean views, the Huntington Beach Pier, and the Bolsa Chica wetlands. February's mild Southern California winter and dead-flat pavement make it a popular early-year destination race.
Next race: Sunday, 7 February 2027
The HOAG OC Marathon draws approximately 2,800 finishers each May along Orange County's Pacific coastline from Newport Beach to Costa Mesa. The course passes the Balboa Peninsula, Corona del Mar cliffs, and the Pacific Coast Highway with ocean views throughout. May's mild Southern California spring and flat coastal roads make it one of the West Coast's most scenic destination marathons.
Next race: Saturday, 1 May 2027
The REVEL Big Bear Marathon draws approximately 1,837 finishers each November on a point-to-point road in Redlands, United States. Runners chase PRs and Boston qualifiers on one of Southern California's premier net-downhill marathon courses. The 2023 edition drew 1,837 marathon finishers; the race was cancelled in 2024 and 2025. The course drops through mountain highways and foothill roads with pine forests and Inland Empire views on the descent. The route is net downhill overall.
Next race: Saturday, 7 November 2026
The Mountains 2 Beach Marathon draws approximately 1,750 finishers each April on a point-to-point road in Ventura, United States. Southern California's premier spring Boston qualifier — a distinct April event from the winter Ventura Marathon, with a spectator-friendly Ojai loop and roughly 700 feet of net descent. The April point-to-point route loops East Ojai at the start, passes Meiners Oaks countryside, the Ventura River basin, the paved Ventura River bike path, downtown Ventura, and a final mile along the Pacific. It is a separate spring race from the February Ventura Marathon (https://www.marathonfocus.com/marathons/ventura-marathon), which uses a shorter Ojai start and the Ojai–Ventura bike path without the opening loop. The route is net downhill overall.
Next race: Friday, 16 April 2027
The Ventura Marathon draws approximately 1,500 finishers each February on a point-to-point coastal road in Ventura, United States. It targets winter Boston qualifying as a separate February event from Mountains 2 Beach, with a faster-feeling ~900-foot descent and no opening Ojai loop. The February course drops about 900 feet from Ojai through citrus groves and the Ojai–Ventura bike path to a downtown festival finish. It is a different winter race from the April Mountains 2 Beach Marathon (https://www.marathonfocus.com/marathons/mountains-2-beach-marathon), which adds a six-mile East Ojai loop and typically sells out months earlier. The route is net downhill overall.
Next race: Sunday, 21 February 2027
Planning guides
Practical guides to help you plan, train for, and run this race.
What flat, rolling, and hilly really mean — and how to read elevation gain, net change, and altitude on a marathon course.
How temperature, humidity, wind, and rain affect marathon performance — and how to use typical race-day weather when choosing a start line.
Match a race to your goals — personal bests, sightseeing, atmosphere, or a major milestone — using course data and realistic expectations.
