Santa Monica Prepares for LA Marathon Sunday

By Lookout Staff

March 16, 2017 -- On Sunday some 20,000 runners, along with spectators, family and friends, will descend on Santa Monica for the final three miles of the LA Marathon.

To help residents and spectators navigate the street closures and find alternate ways to get near the finish line at California and Ocean avenues, the City is providing maps, schedules and handy tips on its website.

Spectator access will be closed on Ocean Avenue from Washington Avenue to Santa Monica Boulevard both on the street and in that stretch of Palisades Park, event organizers said.

Eastbound San Vicente Boulevard and parts of Ocean Avenue will close starting at midnight with most other downtown street closures taking place at 6 a.m. Most streets will reopen after most of the race participants cross the finish line.

San Vicente should reopen by 4 p.m., while Ocean Ave. between San Vicente Blvd. and the Pier will open at approximately 6 p.m. Ocean Ave between Washington Avenue and Wilshire Boulevard will remain closed until 9 p.m.

Residents who want to see the race are encouraged to walk, bike or take public transportation since parking on the street and in the public parking structures, which will open at 6 a.m., will be difficult to find.

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 17th Street/SMC Expo Line Station.

All BBB service that operates in Santa Monica on Sunday will arrive and depart from the Bus Hub, except for Route 9, which will not be in service.

The City will provide a Bike Valet at the Bike Center on Washington Avenue at 2nd Street and at the Main Street Farmers Market, 2640 Main Street, which will be open on race day.

This is the ninth year in a row that the final leg of the 26.2-mile race that has been dubbed “The Stadium to the Sea” ends in Santa Monica.

.Last yer, two of the top 10 finishers (outside the invited “elite” runners) and three of the top 100 live in Santa Monica ("Two Runners from Santa Monica Place in Marathon Top 10," March 20, 2017).