Can you believe it’s that time again? What time, you might ask. Daylight saving (not savings) time and the LA Marathon. The 41st ASICS Los Angeles Marathon runs through the City this Sunday, March 8, and at 2 a.m. that same morning, clocks spring forward. It’s a rare overlap; the last confirmed time both fell on the same Sunday was 2020, the marathon that ran as the County was declaring a COVID emergency.
The race kicks off at 7 a.m. at Dodger Stadium. Runners are expected to reach West Hollywood between miles 14 and 15, arriving on the Strip at a time when their legs are starting to feel it and the energy of a good crowd can help them to keep pushing through. This will be the 17th consecutive year the race runs through West Hollywood.
With the spectacle comes the snarl. Residents near the route should know that barricade deliveries are already underway. Marathon contractors are dropping barricades along Sunset Boulevard between Havenhurst Drive and Clark Street/N. San Vicente, and along San Vicente between Sunset and Melrose, on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday — including overnight and early morning hours. The City is leaning on the organizers to keep noise impacts to a minimum (well, as low as possible) in residential areas.
Where to Watch
Outside of the finish line, I’d venture to say West Hollywood’s segment is one of the best stretches on the entire 26.2-mile course to catch the race. Runners come in along Sunset Boulevard at Marmont Lane, right past Chateau Marmont, then push west along the Strip before dropping south on N. San Vicente.
The stretch near The Comedy Store and the Andaz West Hollywood is loud, packed and worth showing up early for. Runners reach Whisky A Go Go right at the San Vicente turn — mile 14 — where the course pitches downhill and a lot of runners are probably questioning how much gas is actually left in the tank.
The San Vicente/Santa Monica intersection is the other spot worth knowing. Stake out that corner and you get two views for the price of one — runners coming down the hill, then making the turn west toward Doheny. No repositioning required. Santa Monica between La Cienega and Doheny runs along what the marathon designates Historic Route 66, open sidewalk the whole way.
Street Closures: 4 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Do yourself a huge favor and note street closures and times. We’re looking at you weekend partiers or procrastinators. All closures are in effect Sunday from 4 a.m. to 2 p.m., with crews reopening roads as quickly as the race moves through: Sunset Boulevard between Marmont Lane and Clark Street/N. San Vicente Boulevard; N. San Vicente Boulevard between Sunset Boulevard and Melrose Avenue; Santa Monica Boulevard between La Cienega Boulevard and N. Doheny Drive; N. Doheny Drive between Santa Monica Boulevard and Beverly Boulevard.
No parking is permitted along the route. Signs will be posted in advance. If you park your car anywhere or forget to move, you will be ticketed and towed. It’s easy to forget a once year event that isn’t really on your radar. If I had a nickel for every time I’ve woken up on race day and hit a closure due to forgetting what was happening… well, you know the rest.
Residents looking for parking can find a directory of City structures and municipal lots at weho.org. The City encourages carpooling, rideshare, taxis, and public transit.
Set Your Clocks Before Bed
Don’t let daylight saving time catch you off guard. Clocks move forward one hour at 2 a.m. Sunday — meaning that 4 a.m. closure arrives faster than it looks on paper. If you’re planning to drive anywhere near the route before noon, factor in that you’re already running an hour behind before the race even starts. Sure, losing an hour of sleep sucks. If it helps any, just remember the 26,000 people who lost that same hour and still have to run 26.2 miles. Perspective, people.
For questions on WeHo-specific closures, contact Event Services Coordinator Jesús D. Heredia at (323) 848-6502 or jeheredia@weho.org. The City’s Special Event hotline is (323) 848-6503. TTY users: dial 711. For marathon details including alternate routes, contact the McCourt Foundation at (213) 542-3000 or visit lamarathon.com.
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