Los Angeles Marathon

The Los Angeles Marathon was founded in 1986, during the golden age of mass-participation running. Now 40 years old, it has established itself as a beloved fixture in Los Angeles, growing from its early editions into a race with genuine character and loyal following.

The course record of 02:08:16, set by Abdi Nageeye in 2023, speaks to what the Los Angeles Marathon offers elite athletes: a fast, honest course where serious times are achievable. The record has drawn increasingly competitive fields year after year.

The Los Angeles Marathon route is one of those courses where runners forget their pace and reach for their phones. The scenery through Los Angeles and its surroundings has earned this race a reputation as one of the most photogenic in North America.

With 24,500 finishers and spectators lining the course deep, the Los Angeles Marathon generates an atmosphere that carries runners through the hard miles. The crowd support in Los Angeles is not polite applause — it's visceral, personal, and often the difference between hitting the wall and breaking through it.