Did you know that only 0.5% of the US population have ever ran a marathon? I guess that if it were easy, more people would be doing it, right? LA Road Runners (LARR) is the official training program of the Skechers Performance Los Angeles Marathon. I joined LARR this year because I needed to change up my training, meet some new people, but mostly to keep myself safe during the LA Marathon training season. I had sustained injuries during my last 2 winter seasons in another group by running on trails, and I've had to sit on the sidelines and watch the last 2 LA Marathons. LARR is broken up into 20 different pace groups for you to choose from based on your fitness level. There are 10 run groups, 7 run/walk groups, and 3 walking groups. These groups are separated by pace and are lead by very qualified Pace Leaders who work under the supervision of the coaching staff. And, just like Goldilocks, if the pace group are in is too fast, or if it's too slow, you are able to switch groups until you find the one that's just right. The group runs are every Saturday morning for 26 weeks, The runs get longer and longer each week, along with hill training and marathon simulation runs mixed in. There are water stations on the routes, and there is post run recovery foods and drinks waiting for us afterwards, along with weekly lectures and additional training tips. We run our route as a group; two-by-two, so not only are you getting some of the best training around, but you're also developing friendships along the way. The training program culminates at the finish line of the Skechers Performance Los Angeles Marathon. Aside from the great staff, the one aspect of this program I like the best about is the sense of accountability that it instills me. The way that the program is set up, you MUST do your homework during the week because you need to be able to keep up with your group as the miles get longer and longer. Truth be told, I had always been the worst for my midweek runs and would suffer during the Saturday long runs, but not since joining the Road Runners. I would recommend the LA Road Runners for ANYONE wanting to run a marathon, or to just get some great training. read more

LA Road Runners - Fitness & Instruction Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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My mom was part of LA Road Runners many years ago when she trained form the LA Marathon. I just started running last year. I finally ran into this group on the Santa Monica side as they are preparing for the LA Marathon. I will not join this group, because they are absolutely rude to other runners. One day I was running the opposite direction as a group. There was nothing to block their view of me coming. Instead of giving me room to run on the sidewalk, they ploughed through like I wasn't there. I actually had to go to the side in a driveway to keep from being run over by them. I mentioned it to their group leader they could have given me some way and all he did was apologize. Learn to share the road!! Also, they never acknowledge you as they run by you. I would rather join LA Leggers than this group. At least, when they pass me by they greet me or if they are coming up behind me on a run they acknowledge I am in their path. You may have the best record of people you join, but please learn some etiquette when it comes to sharing the road and actually share it. Does one runner really hurt your running? read more

Training doesn't get much better than it does with Road Runners. The team dynamic is beyond encouraging, and the pace leaders are there to lead and inspire. My first marathon was 7 years ago and my amazing pace leader, Walt, lead the charge. After having never run a day outside of high school PE, Walt took me in to his group and cultivated a runner that I didn't know I had in me. He inspired me to come back years later just to run with the team and help me get back in to running. All of the leaders are amazing, and the Road Runner team itself is always there to answer questions, prevent injuries, and encourage a dynamic training environment. I recommend Road Runners to anyone looking to run a marathon, or just start running in general! read more

Running a marathon is not something you can train for alone. Not unless you have the willpower and drive of someone much more fortified than I. Most of my friends sounded skeptical when I told them I was planning to do it. I got a lot of, "Wow, I couldn't do that" and "I can barely run two miles much less 26." But every single one of them followed that with some version of good luck to you on your adventure. It's nice to know that even if they think I'm crazy, they'll still be there to cheer me on. My friend Liz ran the marathon two years ago. Right in the middle of training for her second marathon she broke her leg while skiing. What would normally have been a major but completely healable break, became a much bigger deal involving multiple surgeries and very serious complications. Today, she has trouble walking and will never run again. All because of a simple skiing accident. So when she got all teary and excited when I told her I was thinking about running the marathon, a little part of me knew that I couldn't say no, I was now in it for the long haul. It was Liz who suggested that I join Roadrunners. She said it had been a fabulous experience for her and she really enjoyed training with them. But Liz and I are different people. She's loud and crazy and can talk to anyone, anywhere without an ounce of shyness. I'm more quiet and reserved and I get really really shy in big groups of people I don't know. I'm just not a joiner. I don't like cheering and chanting to get all psyched up, I find it silly and I feel conspicuous and stupid. But I knew that I would have to take a page out of Liz's book and get over myself if I was going to run the marathon. Three weeks ago I joined Roadrunners. There's chanting and cheering before each run. And it's a huge group of people which I found very intimidating at first. But you don't really have the option to be shy, you just have to go for it. And the thing is, they're all in this just like I am, so we all have one very important connection which makes talking to them much easier than I thought it would be. Since I started, I've met some really cool people, and I think I found a good pace group for me out of the 10 running, 5 run/walk, and 5 walking pace groups. Some of the paceleaders are hilarious, and I enjoy their stand up comedy style of leadership and boundless energy. Overall, I think there is way more to like about Roadrunners than there is to dislike about it. While it's a little disorganized at times and I feel like people could know more about the nitty gritty of running than they do, it's also run by volunteers who are just doing this out of the kindness of their hearts and a love of running. They bring in guest lecturers each week to talk about different things like shoes, good running form, and nutrition, and so far the lectures have been very interesting and informative. The form lecture was particularly helpful, because as Max M. told me, I run like a soccer player. Well, after 20 years of playing soccer, that doesn't surprise me at all. So I need to alter my sprint-ready form to one that's made for the long haul, and now I have some guidance as to how to do that. The most important change that I've gone through in the weeks since I started training is that I went from "Can I really do this?" to "I'm really doing this and it feels great!" There are people in the group who come from every level of previous training. Big, tall, short, fat, skinny, athletic, not at all athletic, they take everyone and turn them into a finisher. It's pretty amazing to witness the transformation. Every one of my skeptical friends could do it too, because I guarantee there's someone in the group who's worse off than they are, and I see them week after week training just like I am. So if you're reading this wondering if you could complete a marathon, the answer is yes you can. Liz called yesterday to check in with me and see how I'm doing on my training. Just a friendly call of encouragement. She's good like that. As it turned out, I was passed out on the couch napping after our long run that morning. It wasn't actually that long, but I was exhausted. I'm hoping that in the weeks to come I won't pass out every Saturday afternoon. But even if I do, it'll be okay because I will have earned it. And I'll be that much further along on my way to finishing the marathon. read more

My favorite running club in LA. The meetup is at the Westchester Elementary School at 7am on Saturdays for the 26 (get it, wink wink) weeks leading up to the LA Marathon. There are 30 different pace groups for every running and walking pace from never walked further than the couch to the fridge, all the way to running studs going for elite qualifying marathon times. Love the community. Love running along the beach in the morning, and love the running time improvement results I see every running season. 100% glowing endorsement. read more

I had wanted to run a marathon for years, but every time i started to try, I'd end up giving up, because, it turns out, it is really hard to train for a marathon on your own. I found roadrunners on the internet. I signed up for the 2009-2010 training year, and was amazed how many fellow Angelinos were also interested in running a marathon. Marathoners come in all shapes, sizes and colors. You will meet people here from all walks of life. There are 20 different training groups, from fast, fast almost elite runners to groups that walk the whole marathon (you go!!!)...So basically, this means there is a group for anyone! Roadrunners strongly encourages and fosters meeting new people/fellow runners. I found everyone (pace leaders and fellow trainees) to be really supportive. Try getting through a 20 mile run in the rain without support, and you'll see how valuable an organization like roadrunners is!! The program is exceptionally well organized. The volunteer pace leaders are all experienced marathoners, and will get you through the training and the race. They offered invaluable advice during the 6 month training, and i felt more than well-prepared for the big day. there are water stops all along the way during weekend runs, food after the run (bananas, pretzels, etc), and optional lectures about different topics relating to training after long runs In fact, even though I've run 2 other marathons since the LA marathon last year, I signed up again to participate in Roadrunners this year. It became part of my weekly routine, and I just couldn't imagine training for the LA marathon again without their support. read more

My wife and I started training with the LA roadrunners 2 years ago. Through rain or shine this great group of men and women have twice got me and my wife across the finish line of the Los Angeles Marathon. Ever since two years ago when I decided to run a marathon, they took what appeared to be at the time an almost unachievable goal and broke it down to manageable steps so that a person like me, with no prior running experience, could finish the marathon. The great thing about this running group is that no matter how fast or slow you are, they have a group for you. I believe that they have 20 different groups to choose from. 10 running, 5 run/ walk, and 5 walk groups. All of the pace leaders are friendly and knowledgeable. All the people involved are friendly, and its a great way to meet new people. After the runs they always have an optional seminar. My hat goes off to Coach Rod, the pace leaders, and all those involved with the Roadrunners. Can't wait until next season to meet up with you all and run 2013 LA Marathon. read more

I trained with LA Roadrunners (Venice beach location) for the LA Marathon 2009, my first one. It was an absolutely fantastic experience for me. I run regularly about 20 miles a week before joining the training program. I joined about 2 month before the race. My first Saturday run was a 15 mile one (never done it before). The program: Very good one, progress gradually, leading you running 20 miles before the racing day. Lots of useful information about training, eating, and racing preparation, some against my intuitions. There were water breaks about every 2 miles, thanks to the water station volunteers. The roadrunners also had their own starting area on the racing day. That alone is worth the registration fee. The pace leaders: They are all volunteers and have run multi marathons themselves in a faster pace than the group pace. Not only did they come every single Saturday leading the pack, but on the race day. Setting the pace on the race day in the sea of 14000 people is not a job anyone can or will do. The pace leaders are just wonderful. The running mates: Some are talkative, some are shy. You trained together, and you race together. Keep each other motivated, so valuable, especially after mile 22. Result: I completed the race in 4 hours and 15 minutes, I was thrilled. I own this to LA Roadrunners. The Roadrunner program is wonderful, but it is people that makes it unforgettable. I am definitely coming back. read more

LA Road Runners - Last group run before the race, 05/19/2009 - Fitness & Instruction Near Me - Los Angeles, California

LA Roadrunners is the most amazing running group. I joined the group when undecided to run my first marathon in 2011. They meet up in Venice by the school and beach front for a weekly Saturday morning run. There are 20 pace groups available, 10 run groups, 5 walk/run groups and 5 walk groups. The pace leaders are all awesome people with lots of running experience and motivation. I started my first marathon training with group 5. Pace leaders Tracy, Noah, Sarah and Bruce. They were all amazing and helped me finish my first marathon at 4:41. During the running season (5-6 months) I injured my knee and ran briefly with group 6 with Mitch and more great pace leaders. My second marathon in 2012 yielded a 4:06 thanks to the continued help of the pace leaders. Every week I looked forward to the group run and weekly emails from Tracy. There is no wonder that the have the best finish rate for trainees, they offer great advice, training, tips, workshops, lessons etc. During the runs, they offer water and Gatorade stops. After the run, back at the school, they offer bananas and other post run foods. If you ever thought about running a marathon and though it wasn't possible, think again. Join the LARR and you will be guaranteed success! read more

The training with LA Road Runners rocks! They're well versed in any issue that may come up and continually motivate me. I'll do the training again next year. read more

I am no athlete. Running? Who does that? But I have to check "complete a marathon" off my bucket list at some point ... and no place better to do it than with LA Roadrunners Run/Walk Group - a fairly large group of people from all walks of life who want to train for a marathon. It was a great feeling to join hundreds of people every weekend as we trained along the ocean. The scenery is beautiful, the people are inspiring and the feeling of accomplishment is invigorating. I couldn't imagine taking on this challenge alone. It was well worth the investment. read more

I agree. I trained with the roadrunners in 2006 and was really impressed with their program. Training with them has been a blast. So much so, that for the last two years, I've been working with them as one of their "unofficial team chiropractors" helping athletes with injury prevention and custom orthotics! Great review, Dr. Eric www.drEricNepo.com http://baychiro.blogspot.com/ read more

One of the best decisions I've ever made in my life! The training is well thought out and evidence-based. Approximately 6 months in duration, every sat at 7am. Superfriendly and knowledgeable staff and pace leaders. Cost somewhere around $250, I can't remember exactly but the race entry fee is included. Some people cycle between the groups every now and again but pretty much you run with the same people every sat and get to become friends with them. I've met a lot of nice and supportive people. Running with a team gives me a lot of motivation to get out and do it. Seminars every sat after the run regarding nutrition, proper shoes, injury prevention, etc. Water stations every 2-3 miles or so. A lot more people join LA Roadrunners compared to the other teams i've seen or been apart of before such as Team in Training or LA Leggers. I've liked LA Roadrunners the best and highly recommend them. read more

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I echo the sentiment shared by the other reviewers. LARR is a group of 1000-plus athletes, Runners and walkers of various abilities, training together for the LA marathon every year. Lead by a fantastic coaching duo, Mark and Maria, I can personally attest that they helped me grow as a competitive runner and achieve my Boston marathon qualifying time. I welcome anyone in Los Angeles, wanting to finish a marathon or achieve their personal record time, to join the LARR gang. read more

I trained with the Roadrunners for my second marathon in LA and it was incredible. The early morning runs on Saturday mornings at the beach are tough but totally doable once you meet your pace group and get moving. They also offer nutritional seminars and quick meetings after the long runs to help you with your training (running hills, cross training, ice baths, etc). If you're considering doing a marathon definitely get yourself signed up with them. It's worth every penny. read more

I've recently joined the the LA Roadrunners group that meets in Venice on Saturday mornings. I'm now convinced that no matter what level of fitness/conditioning you are at, this group will help take you to the next level. Within 2 weeks of joining, my knowledge about running long distance and my ability have increased exponentially! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED read more

LA Roadrunners rock! I just joined the Westlake Village group, it is awesome. any level: from fast runners, to walker/runners, to walkers. read more