Running the 2027 Los Angeles Marathon is about far more than covering 26.2 miles.
It is a journey through part of the City of Angels, from Dodger Stadium to Century City, taking in some of LA’s most iconic neighborhoods and landmarks along the way. Also known as the ASICS Los Angeles Marathon, the 2027 Los Angeles Marathon features the “Stadium to the Stars” course, offering runners a unique way to discover the city mile by mile.
In 2027, the race takes place on Sunday, March 7. The start is scheduled for 7:00 AM at Dodger Stadium, while the finish line awaits on Santa Monica Boulevard at Avenue of the Stars. Runners will have 6 hours and 30 minutes to complete the marathon.
So, what can you expect from this iconic American marathon? How do you register, what is the course like, and how should you train for the Los Angeles Marathon?
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Los Angeles Marathon 2027: Essential Information
Before picturing yourself running through the streets of Los Angeles, here are the key details to know:
| Information | Los Angeles Marathon 2027 |
|---|---|
| Date | Sunday, March 7, 2027 |
| Distance | 26.2 miles / 42.195 km |
| Start | Dodger Stadium |
| Finish | Avenue of the Stars, Century City |
| Start time | 7:00 AM |
| Cutoff time | 6 hours 30 minutes |
| Packet pickup | March 5 and 6, 2027 |
| Expo location | Dodger Stadium |
The race weekend also includes a 5K and a kids’ race on Saturday, as well as a Charity Half Marathon on Sunday.
How to Register for the Los Angeles Marathon
Good news for anyone hoping to run the 2027 Los Angeles Marathon: unlike some major international marathons, you do not need to enter a lottery to secure a bib.
General registration for the 2027 Los Angeles Marathon is available directly through the organizer’s website, subject to availability. The organization states that registration will close once the race sells out.
You can also take part through Team TMF by committing to raise funds for the organizing foundation. For 2027, a fundraising commitment of $725 includes complimentary marathon registration.
If you are planning to run the 2027 Los Angeles Marathon, it is best not to leave your registration until the last minute.
A Marathon to Discover Los Angeles
This is probably one of the race’s biggest draws.
The Stadium to the Stars course starts at Dodger Stadium and travels through several Los Angeles neighborhoods before reaching Century City and the finish on Santa Monica Boulevard. Across 26.2 miles, runners pass through Downtown Los Angeles, Echo Park, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and Brentwood.
The concept is simple: rather than running laps around one neighborhood, this marathon takes you across a major part of the city.
With roads closed to traffic, enthusiastic spectators, and plenty of entertainment along the route, it is a completely different experience from a typical sightseeing trip.
Is the Los Angeles Marathon Course Fast?
The Los Angeles Marathon is not a completely flat marathon.
The course includes elevation changes, especially with uphill sections in the first part of the race. So, avoid starting too fast simply because you are running a city marathon.
As with any 26.2-mile race, effort management is essential. Use the opening miles to settle into your rhythm rather than trying to bank time too early. In Los Angeles, just as anywhere else, the real marathon often begins after mile 18.
The Final Miles to Century City
This is where the experience can become especially memorable.
After several hours of running, your legs will start to feel heavy. But the scenery changes and the finish line gets closer. The final miles lead into Century City, with the finish located on Santa Monica Boulevard.
The marathon ends in a setting that feels very different from the one at the start.
After leaving Dodger Stadium several hours earlier, all that is left is to enjoy those final strides and, above all, savor the finish.
A Truly American Race-Day Atmosphere
The 2027 Los Angeles Marathon is not defined by its course alone.
The organizers announce more than 40 nonprofit cheer zones, over 65 running club cheer zones, and around 20 entertainment areas spread across the course.
That atmosphere is a central part of the race experience.
For runners discovering major American marathons, it is also a different way to experience a race, with more entertainment, music, and spectators cheering throughout the entire course.
Exactly what you need to find another gear when the miles start to take their toll.
What Race Strategy Should You Use at the Los Angeles Marathon?
If your goal is to run a fast time, it is best to build your race progressively.
The first priority is to avoid digging too deep in the opening miles.
With the excitement, spectators, and energy at the start, it can be easy to run faster than planned. Yet a few seconds gained per mile early on can cost you far more after mile 18.
A classic marathon pacing strategy could be to:
- start slightly below your target pace;
- gradually settle into your rhythm;
- stay consistent on uphill sections;
- wait until mile 18 before accelerating, if your legs still feel strong;
- save enough energy for the final miles.
If your main goal is to enjoy the trip, your strategy can naturally be different.
The Los Angeles Marathon is also a race to experience.
What Time Should You Target in Los Angeles?
The time you should target depends first and foremost on your fitness level and your goal. For a first marathon, simply finishing in good shape can be the perfect objective.
For experienced runners, the 2027 Los Angeles Marathon can also be an opportunity to target a new personal best.
The course is officially measured at 26.2 miles, and the 6-hour-30-minute cutoff provides plenty of time for runners who primarily want to enjoy the experience.
If you are chasing a specific finish time, you will of course need to factor the course profile into your pacing plan.
How to Train for the Los Angeles Marathon
You cannot prepare for a marathon in just a few weeks.
Your training should gradually build endurance, the ability to sustain a strong pace, and the muscular resilience needed to run efficiently for more than two hours.
Long runs are a key part of marathon preparation.
They help you practice pace management, fueling, and hydration, while also teaching your body and mind how to run with fatigue.
For Los Angeles, it can also be useful to include a few hilly workouts so that the rolling sections of the course do not come as a surprise on race day.
Train for Your Marathon with RunMotion
To structure your build-up, RunMotion’s marathon training plans provide a program tailored to your level and goal. Long runs, marathon-pace sessions, and endurance training help you build fitness progressively all the way to race day, while adapting your training load to your profile.
If you want to go further and build your race strategy, we have developed a tool that enables you to create a personalized race plan: split times, paces, and nutrition and hydration management…
👉 Head to Race Strategy.
What Gear Should You Bring?
For an urban marathon like Los Angeles, there is no need to overcomplicate your kit.
The most important thing is to run in gear you already know and have tested:
- marathon-ready running shoes;
- an outfit tested in training;
- a GPS watch, if you use one;
- sunglasses;
- a cap if it is sunny;
- your own nutrition, if needed.
Los Angeles weather in early March can be pleasant for running, but conditions can vary. Check the forecast in the days leading up to the race rather than committing to an outfit you picked several weeks in advance.
The 2027 Los Angeles Marathon Weekend
The event is about more than Sunday morning.
The Expo and packet pickup will be held at Dodger Stadium on Friday, March 5, and Saturday, March 6, 2027. The Expo will be open from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM on Friday and from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Saturday.
Saturday also hosts the LA 5K and the kids’ race.
On Sunday morning, the marathon starts at 7:00 AM.
Plan your wake-up time and, above all, your journey to Dodger Stadium in advance.
The organizers plan to open the stadium parking lots from 3:00 AM, with access to the starting corrals from 5:00 AM.
Los Angeles Marathon: What Budget Should You Plan For?
The entry fee is only one part of the budget when traveling to run the race.
You should also factor in:
- flights;
- accommodation in Los Angeles;
- local transportation;
- meals;
- travel insurance;
- possible baggage fees;
- your race entry and spending while you are there.
But Los Angeles can also become a true running trip.
After 26.2 miles, why not stay a few extra days to explore the city, Santa Monica, Hollywood, or the different neighborhoods you ran through during the race?
Why Run the 2027 Los Angeles Marathon?
The Los Angeles Marathon may not be the first race that comes to mind when you are planning your marathon calendar.
And yet, it has one hard-to-match advantage: running across Los Angeles.
The start at Dodger Stadium, the neighborhoods along the route, the entertainment, and the Century City finish give the event a real identity. It is a marathon you can choose for a fast time, but also for the trip. To discover a vast city in a different way. And to say, a few hours later, that you ran across Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Marathon 2027: Dates to Remember
If Los Angeles appeals to you for 2027, here are the main dates to keep in mind:
Friday, March 5, 2027
→ Expo opens and packet pickup begins.
Saturday, March 6, 2027
→ LA 5K, kids’ race, and the second day of packet pickup.
Sunday, March 7, 2027
→ The Los Angeles Marathon starts at 7:00 AM.
Sunday, March 7, 2027
→ Finish in Century City after 26.2 miles.
Ultimately, the Los Angeles Marathon delivers a distinctive combination: a genuine sporting challenge and an unforgettable travel experience.
So, instead of simply visiting Los Angeles, why not discover it to the rhythm of your stride?