Downtown Santa Monica Is Finish Line For L.A. Marathon

SANTA MONICA, CA — Downtown Santa Monica will be the finish line for the 2020 Los Angeles Marathon on March 8, the City of Santa Monica news release said.

The race, sponsored by ASICS, will start at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles and run through West Hollywood and Beverly Hills before ending in Santa Monica.

"Santa Monica will turn out as the cheering finish line for over 20,000 runners in the L.A. Marathon," Mayor Kevin McKeown said. "This annual tradition means our residents get to welcome athletes and their supporters from around the world, as our Pier and downtown become a global celebration."

The 26.2-mile race course will be closed to the public on the day of the race, the Los Angeles Marathon Unified Command said. The race course is closed to all non-permitted bicyclists, skateboarders, skaters and pedestrians to ensure the safety of all race participants.

Street closures will begin as early as 9 p.m. on March 7 and will re-open as safety permits on a rolling basis, the news release said. Eastbound San Vicente Boulevard and parts of Ocean Avenue will close starting at 9 p.m. on March 7 with most other downtown street closures happening at 3 a.m. on March 8.

Santa Monica Police Department will reopen the streets after most runners have finished, the news release said. 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., except for Ocean Avenue between Washington Avenue and Wilshire Boulevard, which will remain closed until 9 p.m.

For information on how to get around Santa Monica on race day, use the interactive finish line map on the City of Santa Monica website.