Cheap & Cheerful LA Marathon Viewing - Los Angeles

There is a love/hate relationship with the LA Marathon that has everything to do with did you remember it's happening today and how to work with it.

The 2011 Honda LA Marathon starts at Dodger Stadium, (1000 Elysian Park Ave.) It's a staggered start time: wheelchairs at 6:55am, hand cycles 7:00am, general runners – 7:24am. The race ends on Ocean Avenue and California Avenue in Santa Monica.

Yes, it will snarl traffic from Downtown to Santa Monica well into the afternoon, but it also turns Los Angeles into a giant block party for the day. Best bet: check for the closest passing point to where you live and walk or ride a bus, bike or carpool as parking anywhere near the route will be at a premium.

Three Hot Spectator Spots have been created in Hollywood, West Hollywood and Beverly Hills. A “Hot Spec Spot” is a large community celebration located directly adjacent to the Marathon route providing key viewing of the race, live music, food and beverage sampling, exhibits and radio remotes - we are talking party! Hot Spec Spots start at 7am and run through 2pm.

In addition, there are 10 sanctioned "Entertainment Centers"- pop-up neighborhood street festivals all along the route. 7 radio stations will be broadcasting live on the course and bands will be playing live along the route.

But wait, there is also the Finish Line Festival! Open to the general public both during and after the Marathon, the Finish Line Festival is located just south of Colorado Avenue and the Santa Monica Pier (open lot between Ocean Avenue and Main Street). Enjoy the large screen broadcasting the live Marathon telecast, exhibits and displays, beer garden, food and beverage sales, live music and much more. Access to the actual finish line is understandably restricted to runners and race officials only.

To check the list of entertainment centers and other logistical details visit:

http://www.lamarathon.com/event/spectator-guide/