More than 26,000 runners will compete in the sold-out 2026 ASICS Los Angeles Marathon this Sunday, March 8. Let’s get you prepared for the world-renowned race with everything you need to know.
LA Marathon start time, course map
The race starts at 7 a.m. at Dodger Stadium. Runners have 6 hours and 30 minutes to complete the course from when the last person crosses the start line.
The 26.2-mile course goes through some of LA’s most recognizable neighborhoods and landmarks, including Little Tokyo, Capitol Records Tower, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Grauman’s Chinese Theater, Chateau Marmont, Rodeo Drive, Chinatown, Sunset Strip and Beverly Hills. “Our course is one of a kind,” Meg Treat, of the McCourt Foundation, told NBC Los Angeles. Learn more about the course and see the full map.
The finish line is at Santa Monica Boulevard and Avenue of the Stars in Century City.
LA Marathon entertainment
According to Treat, entertainment along the marathon route will include 126 “cheer zones” led by charities and run clubs, plus performances by DJs, dragon dancers, drummers. Mariachi, and more.
See the full lineup, mile by mile, here.
Thousands of runners are getting ready for the LA Marathon. Lauren Coronado reports for the NBC4 News at 6 a.m.m on Mar. 6, 2026.
How to watch the 2026 LA Marathon
NBC4 and Telemundo 52 are the new broadcasting partners of the ASICS Los Angeles Marathon this year, and the partnership will continue through at least 2029. Expect lots of coverage from the marathon across our platforms, in both English and Spanish.
Watch the live broadcast of the LA Marathon on NBCLA and Telemundo 52 from 6 to 11 a.m. on Sunday. You can also watch the livestream of the marathon on NBCLA’s website, NBCLA’s YouTube channel, and NBCLA’s Facebook page.
NBCLA’s website will feature a live blog chronicling highlights from the marathon. NBCLA will also cover highlights from the marathon on social media — follow us on Instagram and TikTok.
Dominic Leventini was in a crash that left him with more than two dozen broken bones. Doctors said he would never run again, but he defied the odds. Kathy Vara reports for NBC4 at 6 p.m. on March 5, 2026.
Road closures
Expect lots of road closures around the 2026 LA Marathon. For full details, check out this story. Some highlights:
Here’s a list of freeway ramp closures during the marathon, including ramps along parts of the 101 Freeway north and southbound, and the 405 Freeway. Some closures begin as early as 3 a.m. on Sunday, March 8.
Here’s a list of street closures during the marathon; most closures begin at 4 a.m. on Sunday, March 8.
A run club honoring the legacy of the late Nipsey Hussle is bringing that spirit to the LA Marathon this weekend. Karma Dickerson reports for the NBC4 News at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.
Spectator parking
Organizers suggest spectators make pre-paid reservations to park at these lots:
Westfield Century City Mall
1999 Avenue of the Stars
10250 Constellation
2030 Century Park West
2049/2029 Century Park East
Follow all “no parking” signs in neighborhoods around the race route.
Warnings are in effect as the Santa Ana winds continue in parts of SoCal. This video was broadcast on the NBC4 News at 6 a.m. on Mar. 5, 2026.
LA Marathon weather forecast
According to NBC Los Angeles meteorologist Belen De Leon’s First Alert Forecast, Sunday’s weather — right at the marathon’s 7 a.m. start time — should be nice and cool, with a high of 55 degrees.
Temps will warm up throughout the morning and by 12 p.m., a high of 80 degrees is expected.
“The longer that runners take to get to through the course, the warmer it’s going to get,” De Leon said. “We’re wishing them all the best.”
By 3 p.m., the high temp will be around 83 degrees, just in time for the post-marathon celebrations.
Per the National Weather Service, conditions look clear and sunny all day Sunday in Los Angeles.
Meanwhile, the Santa Ana winds that have been impacting the Southern California region this week are expected to peak on Saturday but should be much calmer by Sunday.
Also important to note for race day: Daylight Saving begins at 2 a.m. Sunday, March 8.
In only his second marathon, Matt Richtman reached an impressive feat Sunday becoming the first American to win the LA Marathon since 1994. Tracey Leong reports for the NBC4 News at 5 p.m. on March 16, 2025.
LA Marathon results and records
Here is the McCourt Foundation’s official 2026 ASICS Los Angeles Marathon results page.
Last year, Matt Richtman won the marathon with a time of 2:07:56, becoming the first American to win the LA Marathon in 31 years. It was also his personal best. Tejinesh Tulu of Ethiopia took the title for the women’s race with a time of 2:30:16.
These runners hold the current LA Marathon records for the men’s and women’s categories:
Markos Geneti, of Ethiopia, with a time of 2:06:35 set in 2011; it was first competitive marathon run.
Askale Merachi, of Ethiopia, with a time of 2:24:11 set in 2019; it was her first-ever marathon victory.
An Inland Empire man is keeping his late grandmother’s memory alive by participating in the LA Marathon to raise awareness about dementia. Christian Cazares reports for the NBC4 News at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 4, 2026.
Inspiring 2026 LA Marathon stories
Every runner at the LA Marathon has a story to tell. Check out these inspiring stories coming out of the 2026 LA Marathon filled with grit, determination, and a whole lot of heart: