Downtown Santa Monica Is Finish Line For 2019 LA Marathon

SANTA MONICA, CA – Santa Monica will be the finish line for the 2019 Los Angeles Marathon this Sunday, March 24. The race will begin at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles and will run through West Hollywood and Beverly Hills before finishing in Downtown Santa Monica, the City of Santa Monica press release said.

Street closures will begin as early as 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 23 and will re-open as safety permits on a rolling basis, the press release said. The Los Angeles Marathon Unified Command (LAMUC) wants everyone to plan ahead – the 26.2 mile race course will be closed to the public on March 24. For a Marathon route map and a complete list of street closures throughout Santa Monica, please visitsantamonica.gov/marathon.

The City of Santa Monica asks residents to remain vigilant of their surroundings during the L.A. Marathon. If anyone witnesses a suspicious person, object or vehicle along or near the race course, report the sighting immediately to 9-1-1 or to law enforcement personnel nearby.

Street Closures:

Ocean Avenue between Montana Avenue and Wilshire Boulevard will be closed to both northbound and southbound traffic beginning at 9:30 p.m. Saturday. Eastbound San Vicente Boulevard will close starting at midnight on Saturday with most other downtown street closures happening at 6 a.m.

• The Santa Monica Police Department will reopen the streets after the majority of race participants have finished.
• SMPD anticipates most of San Vicente Boulevard will be completely reopened by 4 p.m.
• Ocean Avenue between San Vicente Boulevard and Moomat Ahiko Way will open at approximately 6 p.m. with the exception of Ocean Avenue between Washington Avenue and Wilshire Boulevard, which will remain closed until 9 p.m.
• Visit santamonica.gov/marathon for the full list of closures.

Only marathon participants will be allowed on the route to ensure the safety of race participants and spectators. Non-permitted bicyclists, e-scooters, skateboarders, skaters, and pedestrians will be strictly prohibited.

Parking Enforcement:

Parking restrictions along the course and adjacent to the course will be installed before the event and will be strictly enforced. Vehicles in violation of the restrictions will be cited and towed at the owner’s expense.

Take Transit Downtown:

Parking is expected to be very limited in the City's public parking spaces as well as private lots that choose to open to the public that day. To make taking transit to/from Santa Monica easier on race day, Big Blue Bus and Metro will offer all transit service from a single Bus Hub at the Metro Expo Line 17th St./SMC Station. All BBB service operating in Santa Monica on Sundays will stop here.

For all race day information, visit santamonica.gov/marathon and follow the City of Santa Monica on Twitter at @SantaMonicaCity.