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2012 LA Marathon
Start of the LA Marathon at Dodger Stadium. | Photo by Los Angeles Marathon On Sunday, March 18th, one million spectators are expected to to watch over 25,000 runners navigate their way from Dodger Stadium to Santa Monica in the27th annual Honda LA Marathon. “The Stadium to the Sea” course takes runners along iconic routes past some of LA’s most famous landmarks, including the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, Sunset Boulevard, Rodeo Drive and Santa Monica Boulevard. For a map of the LA Marathon, CLICK HERE. Group tours Los Angeles Live bands and cheerleaders will be stationed at mile markers throughout the race to entertain spectators and motivate runners. The race ends at the beach adjacent to Santa Monica Pier, and spectators are invited to watch the race on a huge, seaside video board while waiting for friends and family to cross the finish line. Los Angeles guide
Dodger Stadium
Dodger Stadium | Photo by Los Angeles Marathon
It all starts on Friday, March 16th with the annual Honda LA Marathon Expo, featuring interactive exhibits, live entertainment, the Official Merchandise Store and product trials. In addition, the Expo is the home of Participant Packet Pick-Up for all 25,000 marathon runners. The two-day Expo is free, open to the public, and is held at Dodger Stadium, site of some of the greatest moments in sports and pop culture history, from Kirk Gibson’s legendary home run to the Beatles’ penultimate concert. Los Angeles tours excursions The LA Big 5K is the official warm up race for the Honda LA Marathon, and kicks off at 8 a.m. on Saturday. The race winds 3.1 miles through scenic Elysian Park and draws thousands of participants, many of whom are gearing up for the Marathon the next day. With both the Start and Finish Line just steps from Dodger Stadium and the Expo, the LA Big 5K offers a unique Marathon experience. Los Angeles Coach Tour Operator Later that day, runners will gather for the annual Carbo Load Dinner at another great landmark along the Stadium to the Sea course: the Hard Rock Cafe Hollywood, located next to Grauman’s on Hollywood Blvd. and adjacent to the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Each dinner ticket is $35, and can be purchased at the Marathon’s registration page. There are two seatings for the dinner, at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. LA Tours
Dorothy Chandler Pavilion Photo by Los Angeles Marathon After starting the Marathon at Dodger Stadium, runners will encounter Downtown LA landmarks in rapid succession over the next few miles, including Chinatown's Twin Dragon Towers Gateway, Olvera Street and City Hall. Another highlight is The Music Center - Performing Arts Center of Los Angeles County, one of the largest and most highly regarded performing arts centers in the United States. Every year, almost 2 million people visit its four main venues - Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Ahmanson Theatre, Mark Taper Forum, and Walt Disney Concert Hall - along with its vibrant collection of outdoor theatres, plazas, and gardens. Experience performances by the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Los Angeles Master Chorale, Center Theatre Group, LA Opera and Dance at the Music Center. Best Sightseeing Los Angeles Tours
Grauman's Chinese Theatre
Grauman's Chinese Theatre | Photo by Los Angeles Marathon After passing through Echo Park and Silver Lake, runners will then head west on Hollywood Blvd. Thousands of people lined the famous street for the grand opening of Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood on May 18, 1927. The film being premiered that night was Cecil B. DeMille's The King of Kings, which was preceded by a live prologue devised by owner Sid Grauman. The theatre opened to the public the following day, May 19th. Besides its Chinese design, Grauman’s most distinct feature is the famous Forecourt to the Stars, with nearly 200 celebrity handprints, footprints, and autographs immortalized in the concrete. From Marilyn Monroe to Tom Hanks, Betty Grable’s legs to Jimmy Durante’s nose, Sid Grauman helped Hollywood leave its impression on not only Los Angeles, but the world. Los Angeles city tour
Chateau Marmont
Chateau Marmont | Photo by Los Angeles Marathon
A couple of miles after Hollywood is the iconic Sunset Strip. Built in 1927 and modeled after a royal residence in France's Loire Valley, the Chateau Marmont provides a secluded hideaway for its famous (and infamous) clientele. The hotel’s sixty-three rooms, cottages and bungalows offer all the comforts of home, accompanied by panoramic views of the city from its perch above Sunset Blvd. Generations of artists, musicians, photographers, novelists and screenwriters have found inspiration at the Chateau, including Tim Burton, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Annie Leibovitz, Dorothy Parker, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Hunter S. Thompson and Bruce Weber. Los Angeles tours
Rodeo Drive
Rodeo Drive | Photo by Los Angeles Marathon From West Hollywood, the Marathon course enters Beverly Hills and Rodeo Drive, the famed shopping street known as the epicenter of luxury and fashion. Visitors from around the world stroll the three-block stretch of Rodeo Drive to experience over 100 exclusive boutiques, restaurants and hotels. As runners leave Beverly Hills and head towards historic Route 66, they will be greeted by hundreds of local cheerleaders making noise, encouraging them to get to the finish line. Cheer Alley is the Pep-Rally of the year, and is comprised of Middle and High School cheerleaders from Southern California. The Honda LA Marathon will also host a cheer competition for Cheer Alley participants, with a top prize of $1,250 going to the winning squad. Los Angeles sightseeing tours guide
Santa Monica Pier
Santa Monica Pier at sunset. Photo by Los Angeles Marathon After 26.2 miles, the Honda LA Marathon ends at Ocean Avenue and California, overlooking the beautiful Pacific Ocean. The course ends just north of world-famous Santa Monica Pier, home to the Pacific Park amusement park; Heal The Bay Aquarium; an historic 1922 Merry-Go-Round; plus restaurants, specialty shops and carts, and an old-fashioned soda fountain. LA Tours The Honda LA Marathon Finish Line Festival is the final celebration for the 25,000 Marathon runners and their families. Located adjacent to the Marathon Finish Line and the Santa Monica Pier, the Finish Line Festival takes place from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and features dozens of exhibitors showcasing the latest developments in sports, fitness, and nutrition. The Festival is home to the post-race Massage Area as well as the Family Reunion, ensuring that all Marathon finishers and their families pass through after the race. guided Los Angeles
Headquarter Hotels Stay at official Honda LA Marathon hotels at an exclusive discounted rate by making your reservation through the Hotel Reservation Center. With 30 hotels to choose from in Downtown Los Angeles, Beverly Hills and Santa Monica, each hotel has been specially reviewed and the lowest price guaranteed for Honda LA Marathon participants, family, and friends. Los Angeles Day tour Serving as the Honda LA Marathon’s Headquarter Hotels, the Millennium Biltmore and Sheraton Los Angeles Downtown hotels offer special discounted rates to marathoners who wish to be at the hub of pre-race activities. LA stopover tour