Watch, drive, park or take public transit to the race
Naturally, the spotlight of the Los Angeles Marathon, called the Stadium to the Stars, taking place Sunday, shines brightest on the 26,000 athletes.
But the spectators, which 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 theathletes,to spread cheer, or to kick back on a beach chair or atop a doubledecker 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, West Hollywood and Beverly Hills before 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 freeways will add to drive times. Closures are set from 3 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. 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 Academy Road, then follow signs to the athlete parking area in Lot 3. Stadium Way exits off the 110 Freeway 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
WATCH THE RACE LIVE FROM ANYWHERE
Solar Way East) and 1999 to avoid the race Avenue of the Stars (entrance course, area rail lines will on Constellation). not be affected, the agency
For maps and parking reported Thursday. info, go to: mccourtfoundation.org/event/los-angelesmarathon/parking-transportation/. Metro Rail's A, B, D and E lines are recommended as an alternative to driving or taking a bus.
Shuttles starting at 3:30 “Our rail service is not a.m. will take spectators impacted by the marathon,” from the Century City parking Metro reported in a post areas to Dodger Stadium Thursday from its publication, at the starting line. The Source.
“It's a breeze to access Taking bus or train
portions of the L.A. Marathon While 46 L.A. Metro bus route via Metro. lines will be subject to detours We recommend using
Metro Rail to avoid some of station. the bus detours that will Bus Route 2 on Sunset be in place during the Boulevard and Route 4 marathon,” L.A. Metro on Santa Monica Boulevard spokesperson Dave Sotero are the two routes said. most heavily impacted
The A and B Lines both by street detours and stop at Union Station, should be avoided, the where the L.A. Marathon agency said. Bus lines is running a free shuttle 180 and 217 will detour bus to Dodger Stadium. away from the closed This shuttle runs at 5 a.m., Hollywood Boulevard. 5:30 a.m. and 6 a.m. To reserve So passengers are urged a spot on this shuttle, to ride the B Line subway go to mccourtfoundation. between the Hollywood/ org/event/los-angeles-marathon/parking-transportation/. Western, Hollywood/ Vine and Hollywood/Highland stations.
When the race is over, If riding north-south spectators may want to ride bus lines, start or end trips Metro Rail home or to the south of Santa Monica Boulevard. car. The train station closest to the finish line in Century L.A. Metro bus detours City is E Line's Sepulveda/Expo begin at 4 a.m. Sunday Station. To get with all of the detours ending there from Century City, by 5 p.m. Sunday, Metro catch the 233/761 bus at reported. Some may return the stop at Sepulveda and to normal routes earlier. Olympic boulevards or the
Culver City Line 6 going southbound to the E Line