Columns of light will illuminate skyline before L.A. Marathon

A 26-mile band of lights will illuminate the Los Angeles skyline Friday night as sponsors of the Los Angeles Marathon commemorate the race’s 30th anniversary.

At each mile along the race route -- which stretches from Dodger Stadium to Santa Monica -- a cluster of spotlights will shine columns of light into the sky from about 8:40 to 10:15 p.m., according to a spokeswoman from Asics, the marathon’s main sponsor.

The light installation includes 124 spotlights totaling more than 7.5 million lumens, which is equal to more than 29,000 light bulbs, the spokeswoman said. A team of about 85 people will install the lights across the city beginning Thursday.

This year’s sold-out marathon has 26,000 runners from all 50 states and more than 55 countries.

The 26.2-mile race could be the hottest temperature-wise on record. Organizers announced Tuesday that the marathon would start 30 minutes earlier than expected to take advantage of cooler morning temperatures.

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