SURVIVING THE MARATHON

For most runners, this Sunday’s Los Angeles Marathon will involve a series of small triumphs--from getting to the starting line on time to making it up the highest hill. Here is a user’s guide to the 1994 race:

QUICK FACTS (Race Starts)

Wheelchair start: 8:05 a.m. Walkers start: 8:15 Runners start: 8:40 a.m. Entries: About 19,000 Distance: 26.2 miles Course closes: Vehicles will be allowed back on the streets at 2:30 p.m. At that point, competitors must use sidewalks. Personnel will remain at finish line until 8 p.m. Late registration: No race day-registration.

QUICK KEYS (Kilometer Marks)

5K--6th & Broadway

10K--Sunset & Bunker Hill

15K--Sunset & Lucile

20K--Hollywood & Ivar

25K--Rossmore & Rosewood

30K--Catalina & 7th

35K--Crenshaw & Washington

40K--Exposition & La Salle

MILE MARKERS

Water stations will be located at each mile marker

ENTERTAINMENT CENTERS

1--San Pedro & 2nd

2--Olvera St. Cathedral Center

3--600 N. Broadway

4--1130 W. Sunset

5--Sunset & Alvarado

6--Sunset & Bates

7--Mann’s Chinese Theater

8--Catalina & 7th

9--Pico & Crenshaw

10--Crenshaw & Rodeo Rd.

11--Menlo & Exposition

FIRST AID

There are nine medical stations along the course, staffed by medical personnel from Orthopedic Hospital.

Minor Medical Miles: 6-1/4, 12,18,22,24

Major Medical Miles: 10, 15, 20, 25

GETTING TO THE STARTING GATE

* Eastbound or Westbound 10: To 110 South, exit Martin Luther King Boulevard, west on Martin Luther King, right on Hoover and into Sports Arena parking lot.

* Northbound or Southbound 110: Exit Martin Luther King, west on Martin Luther King, right on Hoover and into Sports Arena parking lot.

* From the Valley: Take the 5 or 101 to the southbound 110, exit Martin Luther King, west on Martin Luther King, right on Hoover and into Sports Arena parking lot.

PARKING

Parking available at Coliseum for $6 or at USC for $8. Street parking will be prohibited along the course between 5:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Sunday. Vehicles will be towed and cited.

WATER

* Water stations will be at every mile.

* Drink stations will be at every odd mile, starting at Mile 3.

* Ice station will be at miles 15, 17, 19 and 21.

CAN’T FINISH?

* Racers who can’t finish should report to the nearest radio operator (every half mile) or aid station so that name and number can be relayed back to Family Reunion area.

* Prime Time Shuttle vans will pick up runners between Miles 7 and 25. Metro buses will allow any marathon runner to travel free on normal bus lines. Show driver the bib number.

A LOOK AT THE RACERS

(based on ’93 entrants)

Male: 73%

Female: 27%

Number who entered in ‘93: 19,122

Number who finished: 14,546

Nations represented: 93

States represented: 48 (all except North Dakota and Vermont)

Entrants by Age 17 and under: 442 18-29: 3,390 30-39: 4,785 40-49: 3,336 50-59: 1,397 60-69: 403 70-79: 59 80 and over: 4

By Education High school: 17% College: 57% Graduate school: 25%

Top 10 Professions 1. Students: 1,307 2. Administrators/managers: 1,001 3. Teachers/educators: 796 4. Engineers: 785 5. Lawyers: 438 6. Accountants: 421 7. Salespeople: 406 8. Business owners: 401 9. Physicians: 352 10. Homemakers: 252

REFERENCE MAP (Starting Line Spectators)

Family and friends should watch the start of the race from the east side of Figueroa and north of Exposition.

THE START

Runners should reach the starting line by 8:15. They must line up in one of two “blocks,” according to their race numbers.

Starting block 1: 601-6000

F101-F2100

Starting Block 2: 6001-17000

F2101-F6100

COURSE ELEVATIONS (Elevation at every mile)

Mile 7: 450 ft.

Source: The City of Los Angeles Marathon 1994 Media Guide

Researched by CHRIS ERSKINE / Los Angeles Times