Sights From This Years L.A. Marathon, Sunset Junction to Hollywood

Running a marathon must be very grueling.  Anyone who runs 26.2 miles no matter where they finish are all winners in my book.  Here are some pics I took from the marathon from Sunset Junction to Hollywood and Highland

Originally I had planned to head out toward the vicinity of Dodger Stadium and take pictures of the runners dashing out of McDouches, I mean, the Dodger Stadium lot, but something about waking up at 4:30 in the morning and taking the Red Line from the valley on a Sunday morning didn't exactly inspire me to push myself.  So I ended up here at this spot on the corner of Sunset and Vermont.  I arrived in time to cheer on runners toward the middle of the pack and to the end.  In doing so, I actually was able to wonder into the streets along the runners to offer my support.  Most all of the runners we're extremely friendly and happy for the support given them.  The nice thing about witnessing runners from the middle of the pack all the way to the end is that I was able to get connected to them, many of them thanking me for coming out and lending my support.  Speaking of support, many of these runners , I'm sure you all know, ran for various reasons, whether to support a cause, to run for their native country, or running 26.2 miles for the fun of it and for the self-satisfaction of being able to tell everyone some day that they ran a marathon. 

Runners running along the Wacko Soap Plant on Hollywood Blvd.  I just had to take this pic

More pics from the Sunset Junction portion of the marathon.  After snapping these shots I walked on over to the Santa Monica and Vermont red line staton to catch the subway toward Hollywood and Vine .

As I arrived to Hollywood and Vine I would encounter some of the same runners whom I cheered on over at Sunset Junction and to my surprise many of them actually remembered me.  As I had stated earlier cheering the runners from the middle of the pack on towards the end gave me the opportunity to go out on the street with the runners, or , in some, or many cases, walkers ( Hey, it's all good !!! ).  From Hollywood and Vine I would walk the route down Hollywood Blvd toward Highland Ave for more photos.  As I was walking alongside many of the runners/walkers I couldn't help but to think to myself hey, perhaps maybe I should join next year and I can walk the 26.2 miles along the back of the pack as well, many of whom seemed to be having a great time and snapping photos themselves of various sights along the route.

It was an enjoyable morning coming out and lending support to these runners.  Perhaps next year I can snap some shots in other parts of L.A.  .  My original goal was to cover as much of the 26.2 miles but hey, settling for shots from Sunset Junction to Hollywood and Highland was just as fun.  Oh, speaking of next year, perhaps I should think about walking the 26.2 miles ?  Why not ?  Many of these participants did and they seem to have the time of their life.  OK, I got a year.  Time to start training.  

CHASING A ROCK AND SOME PICS FROM PAULEY

It has been a long while since i've posted anything here.  I hope  all is well with you my readers.  Over this past weekend I had the opportunity to  witness some history as I , along with other locals, watched as the long awaited Rock made it's way down Wilshire Blvd this past Friday evening on it's way to LACMA.  This piece will be " hanging " on LACMA's north entrance of it's museum, to be ready some time this spring or early summer.   I n trailing this rock down Wilshire I decided to start my route on the corner of Wilshire and Western , the corner where the rock would make it's turn after spending the previous night in South L.A. 
The rock acutally arrived earlier than expected around 1:30 AM and probably could have arrived at LACMA earlier than expected if not for some illegally parked cars that needed towing.

Making it's first stop on Wilshire and Western

Crowds waiting patiently for the rock to pass 

 More spectators waiting on Wilshire and Highland

 

Street sign from La Brea Avenue taken down to make way for the rock !!!!

Chillin' on La Brea

La Brea Tar Pits during the early morning hours

The Rock approaching it's final destination, LACMA

Making the turn on Wilshire and Fairfax

Such a lovely moment in time ( I'm talking about the rock !!!! )

The Rock has arrived !!!

OK, now, for an update on Pauley Pavillions renovation.  This Bruin fan sure can't wait for you to open your doors again.

From the north end

Northwest entrance

A peek into the north concourse.  Hey, you can see my reflection !!!

A peek inside from the west end.

I can already tell the councourses at Pauley are going to be much more roomier

 
 Me in front of the northeast corner

 
I feel like hoping on that

No public access ?  Hmmmmm

View from Drake

Hey, check out this kid running the track and working on his dribbling skills.  Something tells me he'll be doing that inside that building in a Blue and Gold jersey in about 10 years

Hey, there he goes again.  I'm tellin' ya.  He's gonna be doing that inside that historic building behind him in a Blue and Gold jersey in front of thousands of 8-clappers in about 10 years !!!!