2013 L. A. Marathon

Exploring all the angles, social media tells the story of this year’s sold out LA Marathon through the perspective of racers, volunteers, celebrities and spectators.

Storified by Daily Sundial· Mon, Mar 18 2013 23:36:27

After seven years of training volunteers to run the LA Marathon, kinesiology professor Steven Loy said it would be his last time leading the group, but for many group members it was their first.

Around 23,000 people participated in the 28th annual LA Marathon on Sunday, including about 60 who trained with Loy.

“It’s so special to be able to help [these participants] accomplish that goal [of completing the marathon], something that most of them would never think of trying,” Loy said.

It was the first marathon for many students, including Carol Martinez, 22, a kinesiology major.

“I was nervous, excited, anxious—everything [before the run]. It was just a bunch of emotions,” she said.

Martinez’s goal was to complete the 26.2-mile course, and she did in about six hours.

Participants were given eight hours to complete the course, but first-time marathon runner and kinesiology major Mike Wong finished in less than four hours.

“I wasn’t really worried about the time anymore when I got to mile 20. I just knew I wanted to complete it,” he said.

The course is dubbed “Stadium to the Sea” because it starts at Dodger Stadium and ends on Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica. Runners pass through several LA landmarks including Hollywood and Highland at mile 12 and Rodeo Drive at mile 17.

As they passed through, event staff cheered on participants from the sidelines and handed water to runners.

Spectators joined in too, making snacks like peanut butter filled pretzels available, and even offered Vaseline to help prevent chafing and blisters.

In celebration of St. Patrick’s Day, many participants donned crazy get-ups.

To read more, click here.