LA Marathon Guide 2008

The LA Marathon starts at Universal Studios Hollywood and follows the Metro Red Line route to Downtown Los Angeles. Runners are encouraged to take the Red Line to the start of the race. Runners and bikers with bibs can ride free on Marathon day. Spectators can ride for the Metro's normal low rate of 1.25 each segment or $5 for a Metro Day Pass, which will let you follow the racers from stop to stop. Service will begin at 4:45 am and run every 6 minutes.

Participants can register online for the Marathon until February 25. After that, you can register in person at the Quality of Life Expo February 29 and March 1st at the LA Convention Center. You must have a runners bib to be on the course during the race. There is no time limit to finish the race, but slower runners and walkers will have to deal with traffic and traffic signals as the roads re-open behind the main pack of runners after about six hours.

Each runner must take their registration confirmation card to the Quality of Life Expo to pick up their bib, timing chip and goodie bag on Friday or Saturday before the race. On race day, runners will be lined up based on their blue, green or white bibs.

Race Date: Sunday, March 2, 2008
Start time: crank wheel chairs - 7:45 am, wheel chairs 7:50, everyone else 8:15 am (times subject to change)
Where: Universal Studios Hollywood, Ventura Blvd & Cahuenga, north of Lankershim Blvd.
Entry Fee: $100 online through Feb 25, $115 Feb 29-March 1 at the Expo
Registration: www.lamarathon.com
Parking: Runners are encouraged to park in downtown lots ($5-$10) and take the Metro Red Line to the starting point. You can also park in the NBC Universal Studios Garage and take the Red Line back to your car.
Info: www.lamarathon.com, Basic Course Map, Course over Detailed Street Map (2mb)