For the first time, the L.A. Marathon is coming to Santa Monica on Sunday, March 21. Taking off from Doger Stadium, racers will be following a new route dubbed “Stadium to the Sea” through Beverly Hills and West Hollywood before heading down San VIcente Boulevard in Santa Monica and reaching the finish line on scenic Ocean Avenue and Santa Monica Boulevard, near the Santa Monica Pier.
Top runners should arrive shortly after 9 a.m., with the bulk of marathoners finishing the race between noon and 3 p.m. There are 25,000 participants registered to take part in the race, so Downtown Santa Monica is bracing for a flood of athletes and their fans. Here’s what you need to know:
Street closures
• The eastbound lanes of San Vicente Boulevard will be closed. The westbound lanes of San Vicente Boulevard will be open.
• Ocean Avenue will be closed to all vehicles between San Vicente Boulevard and Colorado Avenue.
• Main Street will be closed between Pico Boulevard and Colorado Avenue during the morning pre-event loading period and until Santa Monica Police authorize a re-opening. After that, the west side of Main Street between City Hall and the RAND building is a designated runner pick-up area — no parking or standing at any time will be allowed.
• The California Incline will be closed.
• Street reopening begins at approximately 1 p.m. at the east end of Santa Monica.
Parking
• Midnight — 6 a.m.: Reserved parking for race participants in the Civic Center, Downtown Structures 3, 5 and 7 (west side of Fourth Street between Colorado and Arizona Ave.); and South Beach Lots 4 & 5 (2030 Ocean Ave.; 2600 Barnard Way). All other city-owned lots and structures are closed. Parking at on-street meters will be subject to normal regulations.
• 6 a.m. — 12 p.m.: All lots and structures will be open, vehicles entering before noon will pay a $10 flat rate.
• After 12 p.m.: All city-owned parking facilities return to normal Sunday rates.
• No free Main Street Farmer’s Market parking in the beach lots on March 21.
• In addition to city-owned facilities, private parking operators have committed over 2,000 spaces and the L.A. Marathon continues to work with additional private parking facility owners.
Finish Line Beach Party, Santa Monica Pier
A Finish Line Beach Party will be held at the Santa Monica Pier for runners and spectators following this year’s L.A. Marathon. It will include music from the Alex Band, led by the former lead singer of The Calling. Food vendors and exhibitors will also be on hand. There will also be a giant video screen available for viewing the race’s television coverage.
• Where: 1550 Pacific Coast Hwy. (adjacent to pier)
• When: Sunday, March 21, 2010
• Time: 8 a.m. — 2 p.m.
• Parking: On-site and city-owned lots in Downtown
• Highlight: Post-race awards ceremony at 9:50 a.m.
DAILY PRESS
