2026 Asics Los Angeles Marathon Week

This week kicks off the 2026 Asics Los Angeles Marathon in Los Angeles. The city is hyped and the sold out race is expected to draw runners from all over the world. The weather is looking "warm" for a marathon. As of writing this, it is projected to be a high of 82 degrees, which can be a tough day out there, especially for the slower runners.

Asics is the official sponsor of the event with Electrolit serving as the official sports drink of the race. The expo will tak eplace at Dodger Stadium on Friday and Saturday. The 5k will be Saturday morning at Dodger Stadium where runners will line up on the start line of the marathon.

Friday morning ios the media event with Asics and The McCourt Foundation. Returning men's champion, American Matt Richtman will be racing on Sunday to defend his crown after a stellar performance in last year's race. Savannah Berry, the american from Utah who placed third in last year's race will be returning to give it another shot in her native California race. Growing up in Baklersfield, CA, this race is like a home court advantage for her and it will be interesting to see how she fares out on Sunday.

A few interesting and fun additions this year will be "Postmates Runners" at mile 23 running alongside runners giving out iced expresso shots and donuts. In addition to their on-course activation, Postmates will also have a presence at the finish line with a free food truck showcasing dishes from a top-rated LA restaurant.

Pop tarts is the official snack of the race and runners will first encounter Pop-Tarts at Mile 10, where they will find much more than a traditional hydration station. Poptarts will present a fully branded experience designed to provide a much-needed psychological and energetic boost with eye-catching opportunities for runners to capture the moment in photos and interactive zones for spectators to cheer on their athletes. Also In a nod to the Pop-Tarts brand’s recognizable packaging, runners will notice a new update to their post-race recovery gear. This year, the traditional silver thermal heat sheets provided at the finish line will be custom-designed to resemble the classic Pop-Tarts foil wrapper. As athletes cross the finish line and wrap themselves in the shiny metallic blankets to regulate their body temperature, they will look exactly like a wrapped Pop-Tarts toaster pastry.

And Lastly, The McCourt Foundation has partnered with the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences to bring the magic of the Oscars directly to the course on race day, Sunday, March 8. At Mile 11, on the famed Hollywood Boulevard, the marathon route will be transformed into a red carpet experience for runners. It's a nod to the 98th Oscars on Sunday, March 15, Mile 11 will be designed to mimic the esteemed event, offering participants the opportunity to experience the red carpet and snap a photo as they run past the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood, the home of the Oscars.

As an ambassador of this race, I am beyond excited to get to the start line and run. I have travelled all over LA the past 5 months, visiting different running clubs to get runners signed up and hyped for the big race. I will be covering the expo and media event this weekend and speaking to runners of all levels over the weekend to get their takes on the race and their expectations for race day. I will post here as well as all social media outlets and through my podcast, The Rizzo Run Club Podcast. Stay Tuned

Written by Rizzo, Asics Los Angeles Marathon Ambassador

@Rizzo.runs Instagram