Running the 2027 Los Angeles Marathon is about more than covering 26.2 miles.
It means crossing part of the City of Angels, from Dodger Stadium to Century City, through some of LA’s most iconic neighbourhoods and landmarks. The 2027 Los Angeles Marathon, also known as the ASICS Los Angeles Marathon, features the “Stadium to the Stars” course, giving runners the chance to discover the city mile by mile.
For 2027, race day is set for Sunday, March 7. The race starts at 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 American marathon? How do you register, what is the course like, and how should you prepare for the Los Angeles Marathon?
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Los Angeles Marathon 2027: Key Information
Before picturing yourself on the streets of Los Angeles, here are the key details to remember:
| 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 |
| Time limit | 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, plus a Charity Half Marathon on Sunday.
How to Register for the Los Angeles Marathon
Good news if you want to run the 2027 Los Angeles Marathon: unlike some major international marathons, you do not need to enter a lottery to secure your race entry.
General registration for the 2027 Los Angeles Marathon is open directly through the organiser’s website, subject to availability. The organisers state that registration will close once the race sells out.
You can also take part through Team TMF by committing to fundraising for the organising foundation. For 2027, a fundraising commitment of $725 includes complimentary marathon entry.
If you are considering running the 2027 Los Angeles Marathon, it is best not to leave your registration until the last minute.
A Marathon for Discovering Los Angeles
This is probably one of the race’s biggest draws.
The Stadium to the Stars course starts at Dodger Stadium and runs through several Los Angeles neighbourhoods before reaching Century City and the finish on Santa Monica Boulevard. Over 26.2 miles, runners take in Downtown Los Angeles, Echo Park, Hollywood, Beverly Hills and Brentwood.
The idea is simple: instead of running loops around one area, the marathon lets you cross a significant part of the city.
With roads closed to traffic, enthusiastic spectators and entertainment along the route, the experience is very different from an ordinary sightseeing trip.
Los Angeles Marathon 2027: Is the Course Fast?
The Los Angeles Marathon is not a completely flat marathon.
The course includes elevation change, particularly with uphill sections in the first half of the race. So, avoid starting too fast simply because this is a city marathon.
As with every 26.2-mile race, pacing your effort is essential. The opening miles should help you settle into your rhythm rather than chase time too early. In Los Angeles, 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 rewarding.
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, finishing on Santa Monica Boulevard.
The marathon ends in a setting that feels very different from the start.
After leaving Dodger Stadium hours earlier, all that is left is to enjoy those final metres, and above all, savour the finish.
A True American Race Atmosphere
The 2027 Los Angeles Marathon is not defined by its course alone.
The organisers announce more than 40 nonprofit cheer zones, over 65 running club activation zones and around 20 entertainment spots spread along the course.
This atmosphere is an essential part of the experience.
For French runners discovering major American marathons, it is also a different way to experience a race, with more entertainment, music and spectators lining the course from start to finish.
Exactly what you need to get moving again when the miles start to hurt.
What Race Strategy Should You Use for the Los Angeles Marathon?
If your goal is a strong finishing time, it is best to build your race progressively.
Your first priority is to avoid struggling through the opening miles.
With the atmosphere, the crowd and the excitement of the start, it can be easy to run faster than planned. Yet the few seconds gained per mile early on can cost you far more after mile 18.
A classic race strategy could be to:
- start slightly slower than your target pace;
- gradually settle into your rhythm;
- stay consistent through the uphill sections;
- wait until mile 18 to accelerate, if your legs are still responding;
- save enough energy for the final miles.
If your goal is simply to enjoy the trip, your strategy can naturally be different.
The Los Angeles Marathon is also a race to experience.
What Finish Time Should You Target in Los Angeles?
Your target time depends above all on your experience and 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 time limit provides plenty of room for runners who primarily want to enjoy the experience.
If you are chasing a specific time, you will of course need to factor the course profile into your pacing plan.
How to Prepare for the Los Angeles Marathon
A marathon cannot be prepared for in just a few weeks.
Your training should progressively develop endurance, the ability to hold a sustained pace and the muscular resilience needed to run efficiently for more than two hours.
Long runs play a major role in marathon preparation.
They help you practise pace management, fuelling and hydration, while also teaching you how to run on tired legs.
For Los Angeles, it can also be worthwhile to include a few sessions with elevation gain, so the rolling sections of the course do not catch you by surprise.
Prepare for Your Marathon with RunMotion
To structure your training, RunMotion marathon training plans allow you to follow a programme tailored to your level and goal. Long runs, marathon pace workouts and endurance training help you build fitness progressively towards race day, while adapting your training load to your profile.
What Gear Should You Bring?
For a city marathon like Los Angeles, there is no need to overload yourself with gear.
The most important thing is to race in equipment you already know:
- marathon-appropriate running shoes;
- an outfit tested in training;
- a GPS watch, if you use one;
- sunglasses;
- a cap if it is sunny;
- personal nutrition, if needed.
Los Angeles weather in early March can be pleasant for running, but conditions can vary. Check the forecast in the days before the race rather than choosing your kit weeks in advance.
The 2027 Los Angeles Marathon Weekend
The race is not limited to Sunday morning.
The Expo and packet pickup will take place 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 features the LA 5K and kids’ race.
On Sunday morning, the marathon starts at 7:00 AM.
So, plan your wake-up time carefully, and especially your journey to Dodger Stadium.
The organisers plan to open the stadium car parks from 3:00 AM, with access to the start corrals from 5:00 AM.
Los Angeles Marathon: What Budget Should You Plan?
The entry fee is only one part of the budget to plan for when travelling from France to run the race.
You should also consider:
- flights;
- accommodation in Los Angeles;
- local transport;
- meals;
- travel insurance;
- possible baggage fees;
- race entry and on-site expenses.
But Los Angeles can also become a real travel experience.
After 26.2 miles, why not stay a few extra days to discover the city, Santa Monica, Hollywood or the different neighbourhoods you ran through on race day?
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 race calendar.
Yet it has something that is hard to replicate: running across Los Angeles.
The start at Dodger Stadium, the neighbourhoods along the way, the entertainment and the Century City finish give this race a real identity. You can choose it to chase a fast time, but also for the journey. To discover a huge city in a different way. And, a few hours later, to say that you ran across Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Marathon 2027: Dates to Remember
If Los Angeles appeals to you for 2027, here are the key 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
→ Los Angeles Marathon start at 7:00 AM.
Sunday, March 7, 2027
→ Finish in Century City after 26.2 miles.
The Los Angeles Marathon ultimately offers a uniquely compelling combination: a true sporting challenge and a travel experience.
So, rather than simply visiting Los Angeles, why not discover it to the rhythm of your stride?