Los Angeles Marathon 2011

Runners gather in the Dodger Stadium parking lot hours before the start of the marathon.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

With the downtown L.A. skyline in the background, runners begin the long trek.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Nima Payan, of Iran, and Stacey Tabor stretch their muscles, hours before the start of the L.A. Marathon.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

A marathon competitor in a wheelchair warms up on the course minutes before the start of the race.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Runners rest in Dodger Stadium pre-marathon.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Runners make their way down Elysian Park Avenue in Echo Park onto Sunset Boulevard.  (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)