The Los Angeles Marathon is a rolling, net-downhill course that rewards steady effort rather than aggressive pacing. The race begins at Dodger Stadium, where runners immediately encounter short early rollers exiting the stadium grounds. These opening miles include mild ups and downs that can subtly spike effort if you go out too fast. From Downtown into Hollywood, the terrain trends gently downhill and is generally runnable. The course then shifts into a long, gradual climb through Hollywood and West Hollywood — not steep, but persistent enough to wear on your legs if you’re chasing splits. Through Rodeo Drive and into Century City, the course features continued rolling terrain with small but noticeable rises. None are dramatic, but the cumulative effect is what makes this race honest. The final miles ease slightly downhill into the Century City finish, allowing strong runners to close well if they’ve managed effort earlier.