L.A. Marathon
Coming back into the main part of downtown, the course will veer toward the outskirts of Little Tokyo. At mile 24, taiko drummers will play. Spectators will begin growing at this point, with three- and four-deep crowds cheering on runners as they head toward the finish line. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Participants should familiarize themselves with the course before the race, but knowing what to expect goes far beyond looking at a map. (Francine Orr / The Los Angeles Times)
From the starting line near Universal Studios, marathoners will traverse a point-to-point course that goes through Hollywood, Hancock Park, Koreatown, downtown and parts of Boyle Heights and finishes among downtown high-rises. (Francine Orr / The Los Angeles Times)
The final approach to the finish will take runners down 7th Street, where buildings may offer some shade for sweaty bodies. As the finish line at Flower and 5th streets nears, music will waft through the air and the cheering will escalate. (Beatrice de Gea / Los Angeles Times)
Making the turn onto Flower, some marathoners will start to look for familiar faces meeting them at the end. They’ll finally catch sight of the finish line, a welcome spectacle (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
