Running News Daily

2021 Los Angeles Marathon has been rescheduled for May 23 due to coronavirus

The 2021 Los Angeles Marathon has been rescheduled for May 23 and the LA Big 5K to May 22 because of the coronavirus pandemic, pending final approval of all city partners, applicable health departments and other governmental agencies, organizers announced.

The 36th edition of the marathon had been scheduled to run March 21 and the LA Big 5K for March 20. LA Big 5K is customarily run on the eve of the marathon.

The McCourt Foundation also announced Tuesday format changes to two other races it operates. The 2021 Rose Bowl 5K will be run Jan. 16-17, and the Rose Bowl Half-Marathon on March 27-28. The 2021 Rose Bowl 5K and Half Marathon had both been scheduled for Jan. 17.

Both events are being planned for two days on separate weekends in January and March to ensure proper runner and walker distancing, as well as a safer, more manageable event flow, according to the foundation operated by the family of former Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt.

The rescheduling was made “after careful consideration and following guidance provided by the Medical and Operations Advisory Group,” the foundation said.

March and May event dates will continue to be evaluated to meet the highest possible health and safety of participants, volunteers and partners, according to the foundation. These considerations will include:

Significantly limiting field sizes;

COVID-19 vaccinations and rapid-testing for participants;

Mask use; and Hygiene practices and procedures.

The McCourt Foundation announced in July a major course change to the Los Angeles Marathon, replacing the “Stadium to the Sea” course used since 2010 to a “Stadium to the Stars” course, from Dodger Stadium to Brentwood, where runners will double back on San Vicente, Sepulveda and Santa Monica boulevards, ending at Avenue of the Stars in Century City.

The change was made because “the dramatically increased costs quoted by the city of Santa Monica for the 2021 running of the marathon and future events made remaining in Santa Monica financially infeasible,” the foundation said.

“The finish on Avenue of the Stars also allows exciting modifications not previously possible in Santa Monica,” the foundation added, “such as enhanced spectator viewing and celebrations at the finish line.”

The “Stadium to the Sea” course began at Dodger Stadium and ended near the Santa Monica Pier.

The Los Angeles Marathon has been held in March since its inaugural edition in 1986 except for 2009 and 2016.