I ran this marathon in 1999 and 2000, and loved it both times! The spectator support is unsurpassed, and the water and aid stations are well stocked and well manned. This is definitely one of the more FUN marathons; lots of bands and entertainment along the way. My only complaint is that for us middle of the pack runners, often the bands were on a break while we ran by. But all in all, this is an awesome marathon, with a fantastic race expo!

I ran LA in 2000 and 2001. Yes, I was part of the Secong Coming of the Flood in 2000, but I, as thousands of others, survived it and came back despite the inclement weather. It seems like the course will be changed for 2002, which really needs a flatter final 3 miles. The organization is superb, with a great expo. Lots of things to see there. The people along the course are also fantastic. One mile you can hear someone on their front yard playing mariachi music, and gospel music the next. Not to be missed.

I did not participate in the 2001 marathon. However, I did finish the ones in 1999 and 2000..not by running them, but by walking. I admire the runners. I am a distance walker and having had heart surgery as a child, my physical activities are limited. I reached my goal by walking the 26.2 miles and plan to finish it again in 2002. I encourage others to be in this marathon. Know in your heart that you can finish it...just like I did,( I was not able to be in the 2001 race due to the flu.)

I ran the first LA Marathon in 86, missed the last 14. It was a different course then. This time, I truly understood what running a marathon was all about. The community, the humanity both running and watching, it was the best, a true life experience. The hills weren't too difficult, the city was great to see. The people, the music, the help along the way. All truly inspiritational.

Great crowds. Great volunteers at the water stations at every mile. Music and ethnic performances along the route. Being from LA, I had the benefit of veterans who warned me about the hills. It doesn't make them any easier but knowing they were coming up helped the mental aspect of tackling the course. Going down that final strech along Wilshire with the left turn onto Flower with crowds on both sides of the street cheering us on was wonderful. The Kenyans had won the race 4 hours earlier and the fans were still out there cheering us, the average Joe's and Jane's, to the finish line!

LA residents deserve a big round of applause for their continuous support of the LA Marathon. Rain or shine they'll be there for you. Ditto for Mr. Burke and his staff and all the wonderful volunteers. I've run Santa Clarita, Long Beach and Culver City Marathons. Although small compared to LA but community support are nowhere even if the route is right on their neighborhood. Hopefully, I'll be back for my 11th LA. Thanks again.

I thought San Francisco was a tough course with its hills. It ain't got nothin' on LA. After mile 7, it was one long uphill after another, absolutely brutal. The expo was great, the aid stations fantastic, although the spectators were supportive, I certainly expected more of them. I think the average finishing time for runners was 5:11 - that shows you the toughness of this course. Post race refreshments leave a lot to be desired.

Great Organization. Many more long inclines than anything else. Spectators were great.

When I was 15 y.o., I made a promise that I would enter the L.A. Marathon before I was 31. My 31st birthday was in four weeks. Since that day, I grew up, got married, had two beautiful children, got divorced and gained weight. My brothers ran the L.A. Marathon several times already, and knew that my dream was coming to an end soon. The years had just gone by....
I went and registered for the Marathon on Saturday, the last day to enter, of course. My brother was with me, but knew I would never be able to be with him in the race.
The race started and everything seemed to be ok. People were passing me like crazy. I am not in the best of shape, but knew this was my dream come true. I envied everyone in the race today. I called my sister, Cheryl, at the 10th mile with her cell phone (she said to keep near for emergencies). Well, she was in wow with me. I knew I could keep going. Everyone standing around were high fiving all the runners/walkers, it was a site I will never forget. I had tears in my eyes for every mile that I achieved. One step closer to fulfilling my dream. I called my kids at the 16th mile. I was getting blisters. Yes, I wore cotton socks. I didn't know about cotton socks till after the race. When I got to 20th mile, my body was in pain, blisters were hurting and well, I thought I was done. I called Cheryl telling her I was stopping, I went as far as I could go. My hands were swollen, I could barely hold the phone up to my ear. She said that I went further that some people and to be proud that I went that far. When I hung up the phone, one of the walkers saw that I was having problems walking. His name was Bob, and he told me to go rest a bit, it would be easier to walk. He told me that I could do it, but if I want to stop then that was okay to.
So, I rested for five minutes, got up and continued my way down to the finish line. On the 20th mile, I met a woman who was kind enough to try and call her husband to see if they could find my a shuttle back to the finish line, I was in tears and about to just fall. Then I saw a traffic officer. He said his radio's batteries were down and that I missed the shuttle. He said if I kept walking, another one would soon appear. So I kept going. I got to the 21st mile, then to 22. A couple of people were behind me and asked if I could walk with them. They gladly took me in and encouraged me to go on. I could feel my legs giving in, I wanted to stop but they encouraged me to go on. We went through 23, 24, and 25 with us talking and not thinking about our pain. Gus and Elisa gave me what I thought I lost at Mile 18, my dream. I was the last runner to finish the race. I told my family that even if I was last in the Marathon, I would be proud that my dream came true.
And it did.... So thank you to all of the spectators that encouraged not only me, but everyone. You are the true heros. It was you, that gave me the strength to go on, and make that dream a reality..... Thank you Gus and Elisa again.

Excellent organization, as smooth as can be for a 20,000+ event, done completely right. Not much time lost in the mad scramble at the start after the gun. Good crowd throughout, too. The weather happened to be pretty much perfect.

As for the course... Not very scenic, but providing a good cross-section of various LA neighborhoods, so no complaint from that point of view. HOWEVER, the hills are just unconscionable. Not those between miles 13 and 19... Those between 22 and 26. The organizers badly need to re-design the course so there is no hill after mile 20.