Race organizers move event back to May 23
By Sam Catanzaro
The Los Angeles Marathon, set to finish for the first time ever in Century City, has been delayed due to continued COVID-19 spread.
The McCourt Foundation–host of the Los Angeles Marathon–recently announced that the race would be taking place on May 23. The marathon historically occurs every year in early March. On March 8, 2020, around 20,000 contestants crossed the Santa Monica finish line, just days before COVID-19 cases began rising and LA County officials implemented the first stay-at-home order.
Next year, however, the race will not be finishing in Santa Monica. In July, race organizers announced that the 2021 course will follow its traditional route starting at Dodger Stadium until Brentwood. Then runners will double back on San Vicente, Sepulveda and Santa Monica boulevards before finishing at Avenue of the Stars in Century City.
“This exciting change allows for a more vibrant and interactive finish experience than previously possible. It will provide the opportunity for much greater spectator participation for family and friends with enhanced post-race activities including the Finish Festival with concerts and sponsor activations and puts runners close to hotels, transportation, and nightlife in West Hollywood, Beverly Hills and the best of LA,” the McCourt Foundation said in July.
“We had a footprint challenge in Santa Monica, just from a space perspective,” added Murphy Reinschreiber, the chief operating officer of the Foundation. “We realized that there’s so much more we could do if we just had a bigger footprint at the finish line.”
According to organizers, plans to run the race on May 23 are pending the final approval of all city partners, health departments and other agencies. Also, the LA Big 5K will likely be moved to May 22. Among safety precautions for these races include: significantly limiting field sizes, COVID-19 vaccinations and rapid-testing for participants, mask use hygiene practices and procedures.
