When it comes to marathon Sunday in Los Angeles, there’s really only one place to finish: right here in sunny Santa Monica. Site of the all-important LA Marathon finish line, it’s the final destination for more than 20,000 runners and the ultimate cheering point for more than 75,000 screaming fans.
Only one question remains: which approach are you taking to reach LA’s most renowned beach town?
Your first option is to join the legion of runners checking off one of the world’s most iconic marathons. Besides the small matter of accomplishing a lifelong dream, the advantage here is that your route to the jubilant finish in Santa Monica is quite a memorable one. Starting at the famous Dodger Stadium, the course takes you through some of the most iconic settings LA has to offer—from the glitz of Beverly Hills to the glamour of Hollywood to the lore of historic downtown. Quite simply, it’s the most inspiring atmosphere imaginable.
And about the race itself… We’ve heard it gets much easier after the first 25 miles!
Your second option—likely more preferable for those who haven’t consistently been running 26 consecutive miles—is to check in at Shutters on the Beach or Hotel Casa del Mar well before the crowds appear, maybe even a night or two before. The advantage to this option is fairly straightforward: after dining at delicious restaurants like One Pico or Catch American Seafood, spending the night in one of LA’s most storied beach hotels, and enjoying a delicious brunch by the sea, you’ll find yourself at the epicenter of the running world.
A few steps from Shutters or Casa and suddenly you’re in pole position to not just watch the world’s fastest runners battle for victory, but maybe even catch the triumphant finish of your friends or loved ones. Talk about front row seats.
In the end, it’s a win-win situation regardless of your approach. All that counts is that you’re part of the action, experiencing one of the world’s most legendary marathons, and ultimately ending up on the beautiful beaches of Santa Monica. See you on Race Day – March 15, 2015!
