Los Angeles Marathon

Monday is Medal Day! Join in the celebrations on September 26 for the 2021 Rose Bowl Half Marathon. "Run in the Footsteps of History" as you journey through the streets of beautiful Pasadena before your chance to finish the race on the 50 yard line of the famous Rose Bowl Stadium. Secure your spot today and be part of this unique experience! To register go to rosebowlhalf.com. Rose Bowl Stadium Rose Bowl Half Marathon

Happy Earth Day! Here at The Los Angeles Marathon, we were certified by the Council for Responsible Sport in 2009, 2015, 2017, 2019 and will pursue this again for our 2022 race. We are committed to sustainability through our partnerships and environmental resource management efforts on race day + beyond.

Thank you to our Nonprofit Partners for supporting our mission of building a healthier world! Their efforts raised over $3.9M for their causes in 2020 through the Los Angeles Marathon Nonprofit Partner Program. Want to run to make a difference this year? To learn more about our amazing partners and run for a cause: https://www.lamarathon.com/pages/charity-partners ... Or, if you think your nonprofit would be a good fit for our partnership program, learn more: https://www.lamarathon.com/pages/nonprofit-application

1992 and almost 20,000 athletes took to the streets for the 7th running of the Los Angeles Marathon. The race was dominated by two stars. In the men's race Olympic Silver medallist John Treacy from Ireland won in a time of 2:12:29, while Russian Madina Biktagirova blitzed the field to secure a bonus $10,000 in prize money by breaking the course record in 2:26:23.

Whether you're building up to your first marathon or you've run a dozen, this challenge is the perfect way to get training and to celebrate the city of LA. You'll get a medal for each race and a special Conquer LA Challenge medal at the end of the marathon, earning yourself the ultimate bragging rights! To be part of the Conquer LA Challenge sign up now for the 2020 Santa Monica Classic (Virtual), the 2021 Rose Bowl Half Marathon (September 26) and the 2021 Los Angeles Marathon presented by ASICS (November 7). From the coast to the city, embrace the chance to run again as you Conquer LA. To register go to https://mccourtfoundation.org/pages/conquer-la-challenge

Meet Jeremy Caplan: Jeremy learned about The McCourt Foundation and Team TMF while looking at the registration options for the 2021 LA Marathon. "I am extremely excited to use my passion for running as an opportunity to raise awareness and support for a cause that is close to my heart. My grandfather, Edwin H. Caplan, passed away on November 23, 2020 at the age of 94 years old. During the last couple of years of his life, Ed suffered from Alzheimer's disease. As an experienc...ed marathoner, the Los Angeles Marathon has been on my to-do list for several years now. When I learned of The McCourt Foundation's (TMF) involvement in this race, I immediately had the desire to run for Team TMF in memory of my grandfather, Edwin H. Caplan." Jeremy has already raised $865 for TMF. His goal is to finish the race in 3:30. He is looking forward to running past the Walt Disney Concert Hall - "I have so many memories of my grandfather associated with Disney, music, and orchestra. I know he will be with me when I pass this landmark." To read more about Jeremy's story: https://give.mccourtfoundation.org/fundraiser/3179573

An estimated 250,000 spectators took to the streets to cheer on the thousands of runners in the 1991 Los Angeles Marathon. Mark Plaatjes had come to America from South Africa in 1988 seeking political asylum. After heart break in the previous years of the race, 1991 was the moment he would finally break through for an emotional victory in a time of 2:10:29. The women's race record was broken by winner Cathy O'Brien in 2:29:38, leading nearly the entire race, setting the pace on a warm and humid day.

Run In The Footsteps of History The McCourt Foundation is proud to announce that the 2021 Rose Bowl Half Marathon will be held on Sunday, September 26, 2021. Starting at the entrance to the Rose Bowl Stadium and running through the beautiful streets of Pasadena before returning to finish on the 50 yard line of the iconic Rose Bowl itself. Revel in the aura of some of the greatest moments in sporting history as we celebrate the opportunity to come together as one. Secure your ...spot today and be part of this unique experience! www.rosebowlhalf.com Rose Bowl Stadium The McCourt Foundation LA Road Runners See more

April is Parkinson's Awareness Month. Approximately 60,000 Americans are diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (PD) each year. Incidence of Parkinson’s disease increases with age, but an estimated four percent of people with PD are diagnosed before age 50.... The McCourt Foundation invests in Neurologic research at our hospital partners in Boston and LA. Proceeds from our fundraising events have allowed us to contribute $6.3M+ to support Neurology research, including Parkinson’s disease.

In 1990 Students Run LA (SRLA) was officially born. Two dozen teachers from around the city joined the three co-founders, with students from their respective schools, and together, they all ran in the 5th LA Marathon. Since that time more than 70,000 students have participated in the program with the vast majority graduating high school and many going onto college and successful careers. The McCourt Foundation is proud to continue our support of SRLA and over 3,000 students each year who challenge themselves to change their lives by running a marathon.

The future of energy drinks has arrived! Nuun Hydration Energy takes adventures to the next level with a crafted blend of caffeine vitamins and ginseng. Enter to win a Nuun Energy prize pack: https://app.viralsweep.com/sweeps/full/7c7fbd-84416

Be part of the 2021 Triple 5K Challenge. Register for the Virtual 2020 Santa Monica Classic, the 2021 Rose Bowl 5K on July 2 & 3 and the 2021 LABig5K on November 6 and receive the 2021 Triple 5K medal. PLUS, from today until April 11 only, use discount code T5K2021 to receive 10% off each event. https://mccourtfoundation.org/pages/triple-5k-tour-of-la

Let's go, UCLA Men's Basketball! #GoBruins #MarchMadness

Temperatures were in the low 70's for the 1989 Los Angeles Marathon. Just under 19,000 participants crossed the start line wearing stretch pants, skimpy shorts, sleeveless shirts or even no shirts at all. They were supported by thousands of volunteers and an estimated one million onlookers who provided moral support. The Soviet Union's Zoya Ivanova beat Olympic gold medalist Rosa Mota for the women's title, while Art Boileau repeated his victory from two years earlier to claim victory in the men's race.

Happy Holidays! May all the joys of this happy season be yours this holiday season and into the New Year. From, The McCourt Foundation

Happy National Doctors Day to all the physicians for your dedication to improving the health of your patients and communities. Thank you for making a difference

Help foster a work environment that promotes health, fitness, and well-being among your employees by signing up for the Los Angeles Marathon Corporate Challenge. The Corporate Challenge allows your team to come together outside of the workplace, promote comradery, and you can take it to the next level by competing to become the fittest company in Los Angeles! Interested in signing up a team? Please feel free to contact Jose Duran at [email protected] if you have any questions about the Los Angeles Marathon Corporate Challenge or any of our upcoming events.

Ambassador Spotlight: Loren Piretra As a fiercely independent and passionate individual, 11x full marathoner, Loren Piretra has been working tirelessly to adapt a marathon mindset into each of her multifaceted endeavors, both professional and personal. Being able to apply what she's learned firsthand in regard to setting and reaching goals has allowed her to achieve countless milestones once considered to be unobtainable, while also being able to speak from authority and expe...rtise when it comes to helping support others. Esteemed for her work as a creator industry pioneer and storyteller, with a resume that spans the fashion, sports, and tech industries, the proud NJ native thrives at the intersection of community, creativity, and purpose, with an impassioned focus on DEI. In tandem with Loren's professional achievements, nurturing her passion for running, group meditation, and social justice has gone on to become a consistent part of her daily routine, while also helping serve as another vehicle to uplift fellow athletes and encourage her community to keep pushing forward. To Loren, it’s all connected, The parallels between participating in community-driven events like marathons, protests, or group meditation are becoming increasingly clear to me, and seeing the power of people physically coming together whether it be for a race, a movement, or a moment to breathe, has helped further reinforce how crucial it is to face challenges together in order to make a revolutionary impact. On a physical level, marathon running has helped prepare me the most in a curious way, providing me with the tools, stamina, conditioning, and voice required to practice meditation and/or protest for long periods of time. I believe wholeheartedly that the lessons I’ve learned and the skills I’ve strengthened through marathon running can be widely applicable to a variety of activities, and seeing that in action has been really rewarding, especially as a person whose passions are multifold and multidisciplinary." Next month Loren will cross the virtual finish line of her 12th full marathon since 2016 and, shortly after, in February, she will graduate from 1 Giant Mind Meditation Teacher Training Academy in NY as a certified meditation teacher and practitioner.

Ambassador Spotlight: Lynn Nguyen What started out as a challenge, soon became a hobby, and now- a purpose to help build a better community. I have been running with the Koreatown Run Club (KRC) for the last 4 years. While this run club continues to leave a lasting impact in our community, one thing always remains the same- we’re a family and we look out for each other no matter what you look like, where you’re from, or how fast you run. Before this pandemic, we ran 4-5 time...s a week together and it was remarkable to see the number of runners grow over the years. It was my greatest pleasure to lead the run club every Thursday night with my co-captain Antoine. You had people to run with and a celebration to get to at the finish line. I’m always in awe by the people that are visiting from out of town or the transplants that just moved to LA. They heard about KRC through a friend, had a burger at Love Hour, or saw our cool IG and wanted to see what the hype was all about. They had a lot of fun running and they would show up again week after week. The spirit of the LA running community knows how to make you feel welcome and offers you an abundance of opportunities to seek growth and build partnerships, whatever that may be. The 2020 LA Marathon this year was no different. We spent many weeks training and growing together until the moment finally arrived. 26.2 miles through the beautiful and hilly streets of Los Angeles was no easy feat. I finally made it to mile 23 where the KRC Bravo Zone was. Our families and friends from the running community all lined up along Wilshire Blvd. with loud music, banners, and confetti. So many smiles and hugs were given and for some reason, finishing the last 3.2 miles was a breeze. I cried happy tears as I crossed that finish line holding up my medal. I accomplished this marathon and couldn’t have done it without my family. I’m looking forward to running the 2021 LA Marathon next year with our community as we move toward the path of healing and resilience."

Ambassador Spotlight: Kourtney Turner "My journey to marathons seemingly started by accident, but perhaps was always fated. In 2018, The Justin Turner Foundation was asked to be an official charity. We accepted without hesitation to pair the causes close to our hearts with a race that's literally woven through the fabric of LA. Due to our partnership, I felt encouraged to sign up but limited myself. As someone who'd never have called herself a runner and definitely not a ma...rathon runner, I signed up for the LA Big5K. I created my donation page and shared the info online. Although I thought I made it clear I was only committing to 3.1 miles, supporters were leaving comments like, "I cannot believe you're running the charity half marathon - you're going to crush it!" I had no intention of leading donors to believe I was running the half, but I still felt like I was letting them down. I signed up. With a few weeks to go, I dove head or I guess feet first into as much training and research as possible. I've always been a 'try anything once' girl, but this was uncharted territory. While roaming the LA Marathon Expo, asking those who looked fit and prepared for their tips, I realized I didn't know about the underground world of fueling and bowel movement scheduling. It was too late for that now; I had a race to run. With brand new shoes on my feet (I know, I know) I felt an overwhelming confidence. You'd be surprised what you're able to accomplish when you don't limit yourself. Anytime I felt I needed to take a break, I thought of all the lives I'd impact through my fundraising. The people we assist go through the unthinkable on a daily basis, and this was nothing compared to their struggles. I think my time was around 2:45 but I didn't care. I'd finished my first half marathon. 2 FULL marathons and several half marathons later, I've raised over $150,000. I'll never be the poster child for training, but if I can convince one person to go for it, then it’s all worth it. Don’t let anything intimidate you, because I guarantee everyone was once like this girl, standing at her first expo wondering where to put the Vaseline she was given."

The Los Angeles Marathon is announcing the formation of the Medical & Operations Advisory Group to support the 2021 event season. The group will be led by Dr. David Agus, Professor of Medicine & Engineering at USC, and Founding Director and CEO of the Lawrence J. Ellison Institute for Transformative Medicine of USC. The larger group will include members of Keck Medicine of USC and the Los Angeles Department of Public Healthinformational support will be supplied by the Inte...rnational Institute of Race Medicine. The Medical & Operations Advisory Group will work with government agencies and community partners to help us plan safe, world class experiences. In the coming weeks the group will be able to announce further details in regard to safety plans and advisements for all who are planning to race in 2021. The Los Angeles Marathon team is committed to doing everything possible to stage the 2021 series of events with the health and safety of our athletes, volunteers, and community as our top priority. The formation of the advisory group will further allow us to make decisions that reflect that position. From everyone on the Los Angeles Marathon Team, we truly miss our running and walking community, and we are working hard to ensure a safe and healthy return to racing. We can't wait to see everyone back on the roads again. Los Angeles Marathon Team

Meet Tracie Tracie has been a Los Angeles Marathon participant for the last 7 years as a trike rider. In 2017, the LA Marathon introduced a new program called the Charity Challenge 13.1. With changes to the trike riding format, Tracie became interested in changing things up for her 6th year and decided to push 13.1 miles in a wheelchair for the charity challenge. She was very excited about the opportunity to run for a charity. To her, it’s always been about doing things for o...ther people which is a huge part of her life. The LA Marathon continues to be a huge part of her life as it is filled with highs, lows, and lots of laughs. She enjoys seeing her friends go by on course and cheering them on. 2021 marks the first year she will be running for Team TMF. Her goal is to share her story to inspire anyone diagnosed with neurological diseases to push through the tough times and move your body. She can’t wait to get to the start line in May and feel the energy from other participants. Race day is when you can get to know everyone, share your goals, celebrate your accomplishments, and know you’ve already won! #TogetherTMF #RunForAReason #GivingThanks #RunningCommunity #LAMarathon

Ambassador Spotlight: Jenny Nakamura "I started running when I was a little kid, running my first 100 yard dash on a cider track in first grade. I ran track, the 400 meters & 4x400 meter relay from grade school through high school. I never ran over a mile, ever. So when I decided back in 2009 to start running again, I just started small, 1 mile, 2 miles, up to 7 miles before I pulled my hamstring on wet rose petals at a wedding I was working as a wedding planner. After rehabb...ing it, I started training with the Galloway Group in Orlando, FL. I worked with Jeff Galloway on my training for my first half in 2011 & honestly wasn’t sure about the marathon. I did my first marathon in 2013 and my first LA Marathon in 2015 was my 5th marathon & the 30th edition of the Los Angeles Marathon. I was so excited one, because it was my first time visiting Los Angeles & two because I met Deena Kastor at the expo. That year was really hot & I remember that there were big blow-ups at every aid station, which I thought was amazing, it felt like the race just flew by, I would love for those blow-ups to come back ;). Since then I’ve run 33 marathons, with the last one being the 2020 LA Marathon back in March, my 6th in a row, it still blows my mind sometimes to look back and see how far I’ve come, because believe me, it was not easy to transition from running one lap around a track to 26.2 & more miles :) Every year, I look forward to seeing the Chili Dog station around mile 5, while I’m vegan and can’t/don’t partake, it’s fun to see how much it’s grown over the years. One of the other things I love about the marathon is seeing all the kids from Students Run LA - it’s so inspirational seeing the kids in their bright yellow shirts running. I didn’t have a program like this available to me when I was a kid, I don’t think I even knew of any marathons back then either, LOL so I’m super impressed by each and every one of these kids. These days, you can find me exploring our local San Diego trails with my husband Sean & we are looking forward to running LA again in 2021!"

Heineken 0.0 Your go-to, to-go beer. Thanks for tuning in last weekend for the SMC Virtual Live Stream. Heineken wants to keep the party going and celebrate with you!

2020 Santa Monica Classic Live Stream Virtual Finish Festival - https://eventhub.shop/smcfinish

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Ambassador Spotlight: Phil Shin If you are losing faith in human nature go out and watch a marathon. ~ Kathrine Switzer... Never has there been a time when one of my favorite quotes would be so applicable to everything that’s going on in this pandemic world. The only problem is that every marathon in the world has been canceled. Welcome to 2020. It’s kind of ironic to think that the last day we were able to truly celebrate together as a community was 6 months ago at the 2020 Los Angeles Marathon. The city of Los Angeles was outside celebrating its rich diversity and beautiful communities along the 26.2 mile course from Downtown LA to Santa Monica. It was just a magical day for me and my family on so many levels. The LA Marathon has always been a special day on my calendar but the 2020 running of my favorite race in the world was unlike any other day because it marked the 6 month anniversary of my liver transplant to hopefully free me from cancer twice and for all. And man, the marathon gods looked down kindly on us that gorgeous sunny day. It was just a perfection of a day in every sense of the word celebrating all the hope and technicolor of our great city. From sharing the start tower at the Dodger Stadium with Justin Turner and fellow cancer survivor Fitz Koehler to running with Team Brave Like Gabe in honor of Gabriele Grunewald, and crossing that finish line in Santa Monica with my liver donor Mark under one arm and my dear friend and cancer-fighting brother under the other, there was just no better way to put an exclamation point on my journey as a proud cancer fighter and organ transplant recipient. It’s a day that will forever be emblazoned in my memory for as long as I live. During these times of seemingly continuous uncertainty, unrest, unjust, and just plain fear, I choose to look back on that beautiful Sunday when 27,000 athletes of all shapes, colors, and speeds came together in Los Angeles to show the world what faith in human nature should always look like. It’s the reflection from that beautiful day that keeps me moving forward and brings me hope that we are all still capable of being the best version of ourselves even during these times. I can’t wait for that day to come again for all of us at the 2021 Los Angeles Marathon."

Missed LA Road Runners online Sports Psychology class with Dylan Firsick Ph.D last night? Check it out below:

Ambassador Spotlight: Jayson Warsuma On a sunny summer day back in 1990 when I was living in New York City, it all started with a simple, Jayson you should try out track. I decided I want to run. The Summer Games happened every year and I didn’t think much of it, but to have FUN! To my surprise, I ran the 100 meters and won a medal! The rest was pretty much history after that. I have competed in 14 marathons, and dozens of 5Ks & 10Ks hopefully I don’t lose track ha ha h...a. Since I moved to Los Angeles, I have been a part of Special Olympics: Southern California as a Gold medalist in the 5000m and LA Road Runners as a Pace Leader, where I get to help people and answer all their questions. No matter where LARR is meeting, you can always see me there! The running community is so beautiful; I’m proud of everybody. When I run races, I am in another world because in running you have the freedom you can run 6 miles or 10 miles or 20 miles. It helps me think about the past, present, and future. You can run fast, or you run easy. Back in March, when I ran the 2020 Los Angeles Marathon, I didn’t feel well around Brentwood. I had to go into the medical tent that was nearby. It wasn’t until I saw my good friend, Fitz; she helped encourage me to get into the mindset to keep going to cross that finish line. The importance of the community means so much to me to keep pushing. When I cross a finish line, it feels like an amusement park a mix of happiness, tiredness, and silliness. I may have 22 years of competition in my life, which means 22 years of wear and tear, my spirit remains hungry as ever to always aim to be the best I can be. That keeps our mind, body, and spirit healthy. Be happy, be silly, don't take life seriously, you will have great days and not so good days.

Santa Monica Classic Finish Festival has gone virtual! Check out the virtual partner booths and runners incentives. Visit https://eventhub.shop/smcfinish/?public

Didn't get a chance to catch yesterday's Nuun Hydration Class w/ LARR? Check out the class below:

Ambassador spotlight: Richard John Reliford, aka RichRel "I was born in Chicago, Illinois and raised in the southwestern suburb of Bolingbrook. One of 11 children in my family (7 sisters and 3 brothers). I received a football scholarship to the University of Akron where I earned a Mechanical Polymer Engineering degree and was Freshman of the year, Academic All-MAC, team captain, four-year letterman, member of NCAA SAAC (Student Athletic Advisory Council), National Football... Foundation honoree and NFL prospect. Although a lifelong athlete, in 2016 I was inspired to take on the challenge to run the Los Angeles marathon with Team World Vision. Having never run more than shorter sprint distances, I began training with the charity team and learned how to run long distances and the art of fundraising for a cause, or Running with Mission as I now call it. I accepted a position with World Vision in late 2016 and I recruited, managed, and led the largest charity partner team of the Los Angeles Marathon charity program. Since then I have run marathons all over the world and even finished an Ironman triathlon, all to raise funds and bring awareness of and eliminate extreme poverty. On April 8, 2019 I was called to run 250 miles over 6 days up the California coast visiting 7 missions for 1 human race. All because I believe, everyone gets the love and we need radical forgiveness & justice. I raised the initial funds to launch the movement I founded called, Mission1Race. The organization’s focus is to work as a catalyst for human reconciliation and oneness. Mission1Race believes in the truth that we are uniquely the same, while advocating, educating and loving those suffering tangibly directly (through M1R programs & activities) & indirectly (by funding organizations with aligning similarly inclusive missions) helping those negatively affected by inequality. Our vision is to abolish inequality. Check out @Mission1Race on Instagram to learn more and follow my training for our signature event The Journey 2020 I completed last year. I am now inviting the world to join me this December, register now, as a team or individually, for one day or the whole distance. All are welcome, volunteers and participants can support the movement. Join me and transform the worldin Love, Mission and Oneness."

Which one are you? @daniellabelle1