Running Around in Los Angeles

22nd Annual LA Marathon is on Sunday, March 4, 2007

Feb 14, 2007 Evelyn Kanter

This year's new for the Los Angeles Marathon follows the city's Metro Red Line, allowing spectators to take the subway from start to finish to follow the runners.

It's the largest one-day sporting event west of the Mississippi, attracting thousands of runners and more than one million spectators.

For the first time in its 22 year history, the Los Angeles Marathon follows a point-to-point route, instead of the traditional round-trip running around town.

The new route begins at Universal Studios in the San Fernando Valley and ends, 26.2 miles later, in Downtown, next to the Central Library. In between, runners pass such landmarks as the Hollywood Bowl, Hollywood and Sunset Boulevards and the Coliseum.

Ten so-called 'entertainment centers' during the route feature costumed musicians and dancers, and food. The runners will be moving too fast to enjoy the party, other than the happy noises of support for their fleet-footed adventure. But if they still have energy after the race, there's a party hearty street festival at the finish line with more food and music.

Los Angeles is making Metro transit free of charge to participants and volunteers, and expects to transport up to 15,000 people per hour during race day.

Board the Metro at the Universal City station and make pit stops along the way to the 7th Street station.

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