The marathon was inspired by the success of the 1984 Summer Olympic Games hosted in Los Angeles.

[2] In 1997, Nadezhda Ilyina crossed the finish line first, but was disqualified for cutting the course through a service station.

[11] The race date for 2009 was moved to Memorial Day, May 25, because the city council wished "to limit the impact on Sunday morning church services".

[13] Despite Los Angeles County having issued a state of emergency four days prior due to the coronavirus pandemic and criticism from other public officials including councilman Mike Bonin,[14] mayor Eric Garcetti allowed the 2020 marathon to continue as scheduled on March 8, 2020.

The chase involves both women and men elite fields running to reach the finish line first.

[16] The original route in 1986 started at Exposition Park and ended at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

In 1987, six students at East Los Angeles’ Boyle Heights High School enrolled in a marathon training program offered by teacher Harry Shabazian.

[19] SRLA continues to provide its after-school mentoring and training program to all students of grades 7-12 for free.

Students in the program receive free training shirts, running shoes, marathon uniforms, along with race expenses.

[23] From 1986 to 2001 KCOP-TV televised the Los Angeles Marathon, in 2002, KCAL-TV, from 2003 to 2007, KNBC and from 2008 to present, KTLA.