The Los Muertos 5K celebrates Day of the Dead with a vibrant 5K run or walk that takes place in Downtown Los Angeles. Thousands of families and friends gather together in a fun atmosphere to remember loved ones that have passed, in this rich cultural tradition. Festivities and traditions include …
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The Los Muertos 5K celebrates Day of the Dead with a vibrant 5K run or walk that takes place in Downtown Los Angeles. Thousands of families and friends gather together in a fun atmosphere to remember loved ones that have passed, in this rich cultural tradition.
Festivities and traditions include face painting to resemble skulls, decorating altars with bright orange marigold flowers, candles, photos, and other memorabilia. There will also be an official Community Altar for participants to decorate, a pre-start purification ceremony with traditional Aztec dancers and a post-race festival, complete with mariachi bands, folkloric dance groups and stilt walkers honoring art, music, and community.
The race starts on Main Street, in El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument, the oldest section of Los Angeles, and home to Olvera Street. The course runs through lower Chinatown and past the recently upgraded Los Angeles State Historic Park. The top three runners of their genders will be awarded a unique hand-painted skull trophy.
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Los Muertos 5K - A wonderful experience
The Los Muertos 5K is an extraordinary event that I highly recommend for both seasoned runners and beginners alike. Held at the historic Placita Olvera in Downtown Los Angeles, this … MORE
The Los Muertos 5K is an extraordinary event that I highly recommend for both seasoned runners and beginners alike. Held at the historic Placita Olvera in Downtown Los Angeles, this road race, expo, and Dia de los Muertos festival offers a unique and immersive experience. The start line and finish line festival are unlike anything you’ve ever seen, creating a vibrant atmosphere filled with energy and excitement.
The race itself takes you on an exhilarating journey through the LA city streets. The course is an out-and-back route, offering a chance to soak in the iconic sights of the city. You’ll face a challenging incline as you cross over the LA river and the state park, pushing your limits and testing your endurance. Along the way, you’ll pass renowned establishments like Nick’s Diner and Philippe The Original, adding a touch of local flavor to the race.
Participants are rewarded with stylish t-shirts and medals, tangible symbols of their achievement. The race energy is palpable, with a mix of competitive runners and novices coming together to celebrate their love for running and community. It’s an excellent opportunity for personal growth and self-improvement, where you can push yourself beyond your limits and discover new strengths on a Fall morning in Los Angeles
Once the race is over, the festivities continue with plenty of brunch spots nearby. You can indulge in a well-deserved meal and revel in the sense of accomplishment that comes with completing the race. However, it’s worth noting that getting in and out of downtown can be challenging, so I recommend taking the train or parking at Union Station to ease the logistics.
GREAT EVENT
It seemed very well organized. Maybe thousands of participants. So much fun, DEFINITELY will run this one again. The face-painting was great (especially since they offered it for FREE. Olvara … MORE
It seemed very well organized. Maybe thousands of participants. So much fun, DEFINITELY will run this one again.
The face-painting was great (especially since they offered it for FREE.
Olvara Street was very nice to be after, had a great lunch.
This is a MUST do!
Talk about fun! Everyone there was jovial, excited and quite a few were dressed up in costumes (including my brother and I) or had their face painted. It was cool … MORE
Talk about fun! Everyone there was jovial, excited and quite a few were dressed up in costumes (including my brother and I) or had their face painted. It was cool running on the streets in downtown LA that you’re typically stuck in gridlocked traffic LOL
Disorganized race day packet pick up
While the pre-race communications, course refreshments & entertainment, and race swag (t-shirt & medal) were excellent as usual, the race day packet pick up was a disorganized mess! The long … MORE
While the pre-race communications, course refreshments & entertainment, and race swag (t-shirt & medal) were excellent as usual, the race day packet pick up was a disorganized mess! The long lines caused the race to start at least 30 minutes late and several people were complaining about the lack of organization. Due to the size of the race, perhaps a 2nd date for early packet pick up could be added to eliminate the long lines on race day. One positive change that I noticed for this year was the added option of doing a virtual race. The shirt & medal are so nice that I will always participate in this run every year, even if I’m not physically able to attend! Thanks again for adding the virtual option!
Amazing medal & face painting
This was my first time doing this race and it was kind of expensive because I signed up less than a week before the race, but the beautiful finisher's medal … MORE
This was my first time doing this race and it was kind of expensive because I signed up less than a week before the race, but the beautiful finisher’s medal & soft cotton t-shirt (as well as the free face painting and overall experience) were well worth it! There were lots of great vendors giving away freebies at the expo, tons of on-course entertainment (mariachis, dancers, DJs, and other people dressed in costume), and a great variety of post-race snacks. I loved the runner’s altar, where people could write the names and/or add photos of their deceased loved ones to honor them. Although it was a large race, I still had a decent time, in spite of a bit of a hill up/back over the bridge. Will definitely do this race again next year!