L.A. Marathon may be heading back to March
With expected participation in this year’s Memorial Day race down nearly 50%, a Los Angeles City Council committee voted Wednesday to move the Los Angeles Marathon back to a Sunday in March beginning next year.
The 26.2-mile event has shifted dates twice -- first to Presidents Day, then to Memorial Day -- since it was acquired by Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt in September. It was moved to address complaints from religious leaders, who blamed race-day road closures and traffic congestion for making it difficult for their congregations to get to services.
“The religious community was very passionate not to run it on a Sunday,” said City Councilman Tom LaBonge.
But runners complained that Memorial Day heat could be dangerous, and that late May posed scheduling problems for athletes who compete in several marathons each year, including one in San Diego a week later.
Russ Pillar, president of LA Marathon, said in an interview that the race has attracted only about 10,000 entrants, far short of the 19,000 who crossed the finish line last year.
“Again, this is a clear indication to us that the event is being hurt by the movement of the date from March,” he said, adding that he supported the committee’s decision.
The change must also be approved by the full council.
LaBonge co-wrote the motion to return the race to a Sunday in March.
“There [are] probably some priests that are not happy by my thinking, but I’m trying to do the best for the people,” LaBonge said.
--
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
