The LA 5K is one of the hardest 5K courses I’ve run. With 260+ feet of elevation around Dodger Stadium, you don’t really ever get into a groove. I was feeling some sort of way about not running the LA Marathon in 2026. I knew it was the right move for me, but it was still hard for me not to be a little bit sad about missing it. I’ve always wanted to run the LA 5K hard (but not the day before a marathon). So this year worked out.
Before the LA 5K:
We decided to stay in LA the night before. I thought about going to packet pickup at Dodger Stadium, but with the marathon, it’s a whole process and I figured I could pick up the LA 5K race packet the day of the race. That’s exactly what I did. The night before was uneventful; we got sushi and went to bed early.
I was nervous about LA 5K parking, and we got there around 6:30 a.m. for the LA 5K 8 a.m. race start. It was a good choice, and by 7 a.m., it was pretty packed and hard to get into Dodger Stadium. If I ever gave you any advice it’s for any race that starts at Dodger Stadium (including the 5k and marathon) get there early otherwise you may miss the start. The earlier the better.
I did around a 3-mile warmup and got to the LA 5K race start around 15 minutes early since it took some navigating through big crowds. I think there were around 7,000 people running. I made a last minute decision to race in the ASICS Metaspeed Ray. I’m usually a Puma girlie, but I didn’t want to “waste” them on a race that wasn’t going to be super fast. What ultimately happened was me thinking…hmmm maybe the ASICS Metaspeed Ray is actually a good shoe for 5ks.
LA 5K Race:
The LA 5K went off right at 8 a.m. I vaguely read it was going to be windy, but I wasn’t expecting how windy it was. I was kind of thankful because it was fairly warm. Luckily a lot of the wind was blocked due to trees and buildings around Dodger stadium. There was never a point that I felt defeated from the wind (which is rare because wind is something I very much struggle with).
I tried to settle in during the first mile and tell myself: Hollie, people will take these hills too hard. I hit the first mile in 6:42, and I was surprised. It felt hard and I didn’t feel like I was going that fast.
From there I thought maybe sub-7-minute pace was possible. I knew the second mile of the LA 5K was the fastest, so I tried to push a little bit. I saw I was likely in 4th place (and 3rd was way far up). That motivated me to keep focused. There were a few sandy sections from the wind. I hit the second mile of the LA 5K in 6:39.
The last mile of the race is rough. Around mile 2.8 of the LA 5K, you go up and back into the stadium. We are lucky in the sense that the LA 5K finish is downhill, but you work hard to get there. I was tired and getting a bit upset at someone running on the sidewalk (effectively cutting the course slightly). Were they winning? Did it matter? Probably not, but they were going around the turn at a slightly shorter distance and I was tired and frustrated.
As we pushed up the last hill, a woman passed me and I just did not have it in me to keep up. I tried, but she hammered what felt like sub-5-minute pace downhill and put around 5–10 seconds on me. I finished the last .1 in 5:11 pace which is very fast for me as someone who has slowly been working on the finishing kick. Sure it was downhill, but I don’t think I’ve ever finished a 5k that fast.
I crossed the LA 5K finish line in 20:56 as the 5th woman overall.
LA 5K Thoughts:
I was excited to finish so highly because I was not expecting that (or a sub-7-minute pace on the course). I really enjoy the LA 5K, and if I’m not doing the marathon, it’s a fun race to run hard. It’s definitely not easy, though.
LA 5k FAQ:
Is the LA 5K course hard?
Yes, the LA 5K course is harder than many runners expect. The route loops around Dodger Stadium and includes roughly 260 feet of elevation gain. Because of the constant ups and downs, it’s difficult to settle into a steady pace. Many runners find that their splits vary a lot compared to flatter 5K races. If you’re used to flat road races, it can feel surprisingly challenging.
How hilly is the LA 5K around Dodger Stadium?
The LA 5K features more than 260 feet of elevation change, which is significant for such a short race. Most of the course rolls up and down around the stadium parking areas and surrounding roads. The hills come frequently enough that runners rarely get a long flat stretch. That elevation is a big reason the race often runs slower than a typical road 5K.
How many runners participate in the LA 5K?
The LA 5K is a large race that draws several thousand runners each year. In many editions, around 7,000 participants take part. Because it takes place the day before the LA Marathon, it attracts a mix of marathon runners, local runners, and people looking for a shorter race during marathon weekend.
Is the LA 5K the day before the LA Marathon?
Yes, the LA 5K is traditionally held the day before the LA Marathon as part of the weekend’s race events. Many runners treat it as a shakeout run before the marathon, while others choose to race it hard since they are not running the full marathon the next day. The timing makes it a popular event during marathon weekend in Los Angeles.
Where does the LA 5K finish?
The LA 5K finishes inside Dodger Stadium. Runners climb a short hill near the end of the race before entering the stadium area, and the final stretch trends downhill toward the finish line. The stadium finish gives the race a memorable ending, even if the course leading up to it is one of the tougher 5Ks in the area.
You can see Strava here and more race recaps here.
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Questions for you:
What is the hardest 5k you’ve raced?
Have you run the LA Marathon or 5k?