Naturally, the media spotlight at the 2024 Los Angeles Marathon called the “Stadium to the Stars” taking place on Sunday, March 17 shines brightest on the 26,000 runners.
But the spectators who will number about 200,000 play a supporting role that organizers say makes this event an only-in-L.A. production. Whether coming to catch a glimpse of the runners, to spread cheer, or to kick back on a beach chair or atop a double-decker bus, the watchers on the 26.2-mile route are more than extras.
“The spectators make the experience,” said Dan Cruz, spokesperson for the McCourt Foundation, organizer of the marathon. “When they are high-fiving and cheering it is what separates the L.A. Marathon from other races. It is really a block party out there.”
Spectators are encouraged to bring homemade signs and offer the runners water, doughnuts, bacon, jellybeans, pretzels, licorice sticks, Otter Pops or other food bites, said Laurie Gestal, senior marketing director for McCourt Foundation. Orange slices are prohibited because the rinds end up underfoot on the route, she said.
The course, which runs through the streets of Los Angeles and the cities of West Hollywood and Beverly Hills, finishing in Century City, will be lined with spectators at all mile markers, Gestal said. But where are the hot spots for watching? How should they get there?
She said choose the most convenient spot. But many line up in Hollywood and West Hollywood where bands and DJs are king. At Echo Park, the Sidel Entertainment Drum Line will play (at Mile 6), keeping runners moving along, she said. Details on entertainers on the course are at: tinyurl.com/4r7sapby
Driving: Parking and Shuttles
Driving around detoured streets and closed freeway ramps and turn lanes along parts of the 101, 110 and 405 will add to drive times. Closures are set from 3 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 17. For real-time freeway traffic information, go to Caltrans Quickmap: quickmap.dot.ca.gov/
If parking at Dodger Stadium, where the race starts, vehicles must access lots through the Golden State Gate, off the 5 Freeway. Use 2000 Academy Road on GPS to the gate, then follow signs to Runner Parking Area in Lot 3. Stadium Way exits off the 110 will be closed on race day. Parking lots open at 3 a.m. and parking is free.
Parking near the finish line will be at the Westfield Century City Mall (entrances on Century Park West and Constellation); 2049/2029 Century Park East (entrance from westbound Olympic Avenue); 2030 Century Park West (entrance on Solar Way);10250 Constellation (entrance on Solar Way East) and 1999 Avenue of the Stars (entrance on Constellation). For maps and parking information, go to: https://www.mccourtfoundation.org/event/los-angeles-marathon/parking-transportation/
Shuttles starting at 3:30 a.m. will take spectators from the Century City parking areas to Dodger Stadium at the start line, Gestal said.
Taking bus or train
While 46 LA Metro bus lines will be subject to detours to avoid the racing course, area rail lines will not be affected, the agency reported on Thursday.
Metro Rail’s A, B, D and E Lines are recommended as an alternative to driving or taking a bus. “Our rail service is not impacted by the marathon,” Metro reported in a post on Thursday from its publication The Source.
“It’s a breeze to access portions of the L.A. Marathon route via Metro. We recommend using Metro Rail to avoid some of the bus detours that will be in place during the marathon,” said Dave Sotero, LA Metro spokesperson.
The A and B Lines both stop at Los Angeles Union Station, where the L.A. Marathon is running a free shuttle bus to Dodger Stadium. This shuttle runs at 5 a.m., 5:30 a.m. and 6 a.m. To reserve a spot on this shuttle, go to https://www.mccourtfoundation.org/event/los-angeles-marathon/parking-transportation/.
When the race is over, spectators may want to ride Metro Rail home or to the car. The train station closest to the finish line in Century City is E Line’s Sepulveda/Expo Station. To get there from Century City, catch the 233/761 bus at the stop at Sepulveda and Olympic boulevards or the Culver City Line 6 going southbound to the E Line station.
Bus Route 2 on Sunset Boulevard, and Bus Route 4 on Santa Monica Boulevard are the two routes most heavily impacted by street detours and should be avoided, the agency said. Bus lines 180 and 217 will detour away from the closed Hollywood Boulevard. So passengers are urged to ride B Line subway between the Hollywood/Western, Hollywood/Vine and Hollywood/Highland stations.
If riding north-south bus lines, start or end trips south of Santa Monica Boulevard.
LA Metro bus detours begin at 4 a.m. Sunday with all of the detours ending by 5 p.m. Sunday, Metro reported. Some may return to normal routes earlier.
SCNG staff writer Holly Andres contributed to this article.