When Miles Meet the Movies: How the LA Marathon and the Oscars Can Elevate Each Other

As an LA Marathon Ambassador of this great race, you can agree that If you live and breathe Los Angeles, you already know this city runs on more than just freeways and film. It runs on stories—whether they’re unfolding at mile 20 of the LA Marathon or in a Best Picture acceptance speech on Oscar night.

That’s why news broke with big implications for our community: The 2026 LA Marathon will be moved from its traditional third Sunday in March to avoid a direct conflict with the 98th Academy Awards, which are set for March 15.

As someone who’s passionate about both running and what LA represents, I actually see this not as a disruption, but as a unique opportunity. This isn’t just about adjusting dates—this is a chance for two of LA’s most iconic events to collaborate in celebrating everything that makes this city one of a kind

The Date Shift: A Necessary Move

With the marathon route passing directly in front of the Dolby Theatre, having both events on the same day was simply unworkable. The city would’ve faced overlapping road closures, heightened security demands, and a serious strain on services. Thanks to coordination from LA Mayor Karen Bass, the McCourt Foundation (organizers of the LA Marathon), and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, a solution emerged: move the marathon, keep the Oscars, and find common ground.

For runners, it’s an adjustment. For the city, it’s a sign of thoughtful compromise. For both events, it’s a reminder that LA works best when we’re not just coexisting—but collaborating.

Ways They can Support Each Other & Collaborate

Invite Oscar-Worthy Storytelling to the Race

Runners carry some of the most moving, human stories in the city. Whether they’re running in memory of a loved one or raising money for a cause, these journeys are cinematic. Let’s create a digital storytelling series—"Marathon Shorts"—that showcases these people leading up to race day, using Hollywood-level storytelling to highlight what makes this event so personal.

Bring the Oscars to the Course

Let’s create Hollywood-themed cheer zones on the marathon route, complete with live performances, film costumes, and music from Oscar-winning scores. This could be a perfect bridge between movie lovers and marathoners—and a fun, visual way to represent LA’s cultural DNA

Let Celebrities Cheer Us On (or Run!)

Plenty of folks in Hollywood are also runners. Let’s invite celebrities and filmmakers to be marathon ambassadors—whether they’re starting corrals, handing out medals, or pacing a 4:00 group. It’s great for visibility and even better for building community.

Oscars Shoutout to the Marathoners

Even with the events on different days, imagine how powerful it would be if an Oscar winner or host gave a shoutout to the runners who took on 26.2 miles that same weekend. Just a sentence or two on the big stage can go a long way in lifting up a community that grinds, trains, and shows up

More Than Just Scheduling

This has now become about showing the world how LA shows up. In 2026, we have a chance to position Los Angeles not as a city of silos, but as a unified force of endurance, creativity, ambition, and pride.

The LA Marathon and the Oscars don’t need to compete for attention. When done right, they can elevate each other—telling stories from the streets to the stage, from mile one to Best Original Screenplay.

As we look toward 2028 and the Olympics, this kind of collaboration is the model. LA doesn’t just dream big—it makes big work. Let’s use 2026 to prove it.

Final Thoughts

As an LA Marathon Ambassador, I’ve seen firsthand how this race transforms lives, brings neighborhoods together, and reflects the spirit of Los Angeles—gritty, diverse, and full of heart. The Oscars do the same in their own way, celebrating stories that move the world. Both events are uniquely LA, and both deserve to shine. What makes this city so special isn’t just the glitz or the grind—it’s that we know how to celebrate both. I’m excited to see how, even on separate days, the LA Marathon and the Oscars can lift each other up and remind the world just how powerful Los Angeles can be when we run toward the same finish line