What is the LA Road Runners?
LA Road Runners (LARR) is a premier training program based in Los Angeles that supports runners, walkers, and run/walkers of all levels who wish to participate in the Los Angeles Marathon and all McCourt Foundation races including the Rose Bowl Half and 5K, the Charity Challenge 13.1, Santa Monica Classic 5K/10K and the LA Big 5K.
When will LARR Registration open?
Registration will open on June 1 2023 and will remain open until February 29, 2024 .
What are the membership options?
LARR has two options:
LARR’s Club / Group Training program is available for those who want in-person coached workouts in a group setting. It includes coached long runs/walks in Santa Monica or Griffith Park on Saturday mornings, or Newport Beach on Sundays, with the official pace team for the Los Angeles Marathon; Wednesday coached track nights at Santa Monica High School. Members receives ASICS team shirts, exclusive race day access at the Rose Bowl Half and the Los Angeles Marathon; Corral B access at the Los Angeles Marathon and more! There is a fee for the Group Training program and you must register.
LARR’s Newsletter is free and available to anyone who registers for the 2024 Los Angeles Marathon or is interested in training for TMF races. This weekly newsletter includes downloadable training plans, weekly coaching tips, and invitations to special live and virtual meet up events.
Where does LARR meet?
LARR meets
Saturday at 7am in Santa Monica at the "Totem Pole" which is on Ocean Ave, near San Vicente Blvd. Parking is available on side streets like Georgina. There are picnic tables and bathrooms at this location.
Saturday at 7am in Griffith Park meet at Shane's Inspiration playground. Parking is available in the Merry Go Round Lot 2 and 3. There are picnic tables and bathrooms at this location.
On Sunday at 7am, the group meets in Newport Beach at the Muth Nature Center . There are bathrooms at this location.
On Wednesdays, LARR meets on the Santa Monica High School track at 6:30pm. There is limited parking on campus. Plenty of parking at the Civic Center Lot on Pico and 4th (for a small fee).
How much does it cost to join LARR?
The LARR Training Program will open registration on June 1, 2023 for an early access price of $100 through June 11 at 11:59pm.
PRICING SCHEDULE
6/1-11: $100
6/12 - 9/24: $125
9/25 - 2/29: $150
How long is the training program?
The LA Road Runners training season will last for about 26 weeks starting with an orientation the weekend of September 16-17, 2023. The official training program starts September 23-24, 2023 and ends with the LA Marathon on March 17, 2024.
Is LARR only for people who want to train for the Los Angeles Marathon?
While most of our members are training for the Los Angeles Marathon, the Group Training program is available to anyone training for the Rose Bowl Half or the Charity Challenge 13.1.
Can walkers join LARR?
LARR welcomes runners, walkers, and run/walkers. We have about 20 different pace groups for faster and slower runners; beginners and seasoned marathoners!
Who can attend the Group Trainings and what do they involve?
LARR Group Training Program is open to those who have registered and paid for membership.
The program kicks off in September with an online orientation on 9/14 and in person orientations 9/16-17. The first training of the season is 9/23-24.
At their first meet up, participants will be placed into pace groups for walkers, run/walkers, and runners that are led by the official pace team of the Los Angeles Marathon.
After a warm up and coach talk, participants will join their pace group for a long run/walk through the neighborhood. Longer workouts include at least one water station.
Participants are encouraged to bring a water bottle to refill at water stations so as to cut down on disposable cup waste.
If I join the Group Trainings, how will I know the course?
Each LARR member is paired with a pace leader and group that sticks together during the workout. In addition, Coach David will send out a link with the course prior to the workout so you can download it onto your phone.
Where can I pick up my LARR shirt?
LARR Shirts will be available for our Group Training members to pick up at weekend trainings throughout September. After that, shirts will be available once a month. They can also be picked up at the LARR tent at the Santa Monica Classic, Rose Bowl Half finish festival and Los Angeles Marathon expo. We do our best to estimate sizing needs. Register and pick up your shirts early to make sure you get the correct size.
What are the Race Day VIP perks for Group Training members:
LARR Training Program members get exclusive race day access:
At the Rose Bowl Half & 5K (1/21/23) LARR can arrive early and enjoy the Rose Bowl Stadium locker rooms!! (wristbands are required and you must be registered for LARR and the race by December 31, 2023).
At the Los Angeles Marathon (3/17/24) LARR has an exclusive meet up location in Dodger Stadium on race morning (must be registered for LARR and the race by February 29, 2024). In addition, you’ll have automatic placement in seeded corral B (as long as you are registered for the Marathon by January 30, 2024).
**Please note that LARR Members will have access to Corral B (or any corral other than A). However, on race day, LARR Pace Leaders will be positioned in their appropriate corral based on pace, which may or may not be Corral B.
If I’m not a Group Training program member, can I attend any of the in-person meetings?
Our regular weekly trainings are limited to paid LARR Training Program members only.
We host two special meet ups that all LARR members and friends are invited to attend. These large scale meet ups at Dodger Stadium will be held in December 2023 and March 2024. Details will be posted in the newsletter as they become available.
Can I be an LARR member and not participate in the Los Angeles Marathon?
Members can train for the Rose Bowl Half (Jan 21, 2024) or the Charity Half Marathon (March 17, 2024). Or you can just come out an enjoy the trainings with us!
Can I register for the Group Training program but not come to the meetings?
Yes, you will still have access to race day perks.
Who is the Coach for the LA Road Runners?
David A. Levine, is co-author of the Complete Idiots Guide to Marathon Training, which came out worldwide in 2012. He is a certified Coach, Level Two, with USA Track & Field and Level Two with USA Triathlon, both signatories of the US Olympic Committee. A year ago, he received his Ironman U Coach Certification, and Level One Coaching Certification from Road Runners Club of America, two years ago. Coach David is a three-time Ironman and twenty-seven time marathoner and has helped found multiple running clubs and training programs in Southern California. You'll find Coach David at all LARR meet-ups and leading the online coach chats on Thursday nights.
How many pace groups are there and how fast do they run/walk?
In Santa Monica, there are about 50 pace leaders who lead over 20 different pace groups for walkers, runners, and run/walkers. Newport Beach and Griffith Park are smaller in size and have 6-8 pace groups.
Pace groups range from a 3hr goal finish time to a 6:30hr goal finish time - and everything in between. LARR pace leaders will be on the course at Rose Bowl Half and the Los Angeles Marathon, pacing the main event field.
If I am a current LARR Group Training member, how do I connect with my Pace Leader or ask additional questions about training or membership?
When you come to your first LARR training, you'll be paired with a pace leader who will tell you the best way to communicate with them.
In addition, you can reach out to Coach David at DavidL@mccourtfoundation.org for help being placed in pace group. You can reach LARR Program Coordinator Lucie Murray at larr@mccourtfoundation.org with questions about membership.
Do you have downloadable training plans?
Yes, you'll find them under the Training Plans tab of the LARR webpages.
Does my LARR membership include entry to the 2024 Los Angeles Marathon or 2023 Rose Bowl Half Marathon?
LARR memberships do NOT include entry to the Los Angeles Marathon or Rose Bowl Half Marathon. You will need to register separately.
Is an LARR membership refundable?
There are no refunds or transfers for a LA Road Runners membership for any reason including an event cancellation, an event conducted at a shorter distance or as a virtual event, or the event being rescheduled.
