RUNNING LOS ANGELES ON MARCH 7, 2027?
Train for Los Angeles With a Team Behind You
Join a 16 week virtual marathon training team led by Benji Wetli, a former NCAA Division I coach. Follow a structured ability based plan, attend weekly live coaching calls and prepare for Los Angeles alongside runners pursuing the same finish line. The 16 week program begins November 15, 2026.
Marathon Training Is Better With Structure, Coaching and Community
Preparing for a marathon can feel isolating. You may have a generic plan, but no one to explain the purpose of the workouts, help you navigate difficult weeks or answer the questions that arise during four months of training.
The Wetli Athletics Los Angeles Marathon Race Team combines the accessibility of group training with consistent guidance from an experienced coach. You will train alongside runners preparing for the same race, learn how to approach each stage of the marathon build and arrive in Los Angeles knowing that you prepared with purpose.
What’s Included?
16 Week Training Plan
Follow a complete marathon progression designed around the demands and timing of the Los Angeles Marathon.
Three Ability Groups
Choose the plan that most closely matches your current experience, training volume and goals.
Weekly Live Coaching
Attend a 60 minute virtual coaching session each week covering training, fueling, recovery, pacing and race preparation.
Coach Led Questions and Answers
Bring your training questions to each weekly session and receive practical guidance throughout the program.
Private Race Community
Connect with runners pursuing the same race, share progress, navigate challenges and celebrate milestones together.
Race-Specific Preparation
Learn how to approach the Los Angeles course, race-week logistics, pacing, fueling and potentially warm race-day conditions.
Is the Los Angeles Marathon Race Team Right for You?
This program is designed for runners who:
Are registered or planning to register for the 2027 Los Angeles Marathon.
Can run consistently before the program begins.
Want more support than a downloadable training plan provides.
Value structure, accountability and education.
Are comfortable following one of three group plans.
Want to train alongside other runners preparing for Los Angeles.
Foundation
The 3 Training Groups
For first-time marathoners or runners training with lower weekly volume.
Performance
For experienced runners seeking structured preparation and a strong race.
Competitive
For higher-volume runners pursuing ambitious time goals.
You will receive guidance before training begins to help you select the most appropriate group.
Sixteen Weeks of Coaching - Not Just a Training Calendar
Weeks 1–4: Build the Foundation
Understanding effort and training intensity
Easy running and recovery
Establishing sustainable routines
Strength and mobility
Weeks 5–8: Develop Marathon Fitness
Long-run execution
Threshold and marathon-specific training
Hydration and fueling practice
Managing fatigue
Weeks 9–12: Prepare to Perform
Race-pace strategy
Mental preparation
Course-specific considerations
Adjusting training when life intervenes
Weeks 13–16: Taper and Race
Final long runs
Tapering correctly
Race-week preparation
Pacing, fueling and race-day execution
All calls will be recorded for members who cannot attend live.
Meet Your Coach
Benji Wetli is the founder of Wetli Athletics and spent 14 years coaching NCAA Division I cross country and track and field. During his collegiate coaching career, he worked with NCAA champions, All-Americans, World Championship team members and athletes who went on to become Olympians.
Benji holds a master’s degree in kinesiology with a specialization in exercise physiology. Through Wetli Athletics, he now helps runners with careers, families and demanding schedules prepare consistently for ambitious endurance goals.
The Los Angeles Marathon Race Team brings his coaching experience into an accessible group environment built around structure, education and shared preparation.
Testimonials
“I am so thankful I came to Wetli Athletics for my marathon training plan. He took all the guesswork out of my training and I’ve never had such a smooth build up. The workouts were challenging but doable and made me feel the strongest I’ve ever felt. I ended up with a 13 minute PR on my marathon and couldn’t have done it without Benji!” - Heather
“Benji was super methodical and data-oriented, always keeping a close eye on where I was and how I was progressing. Benji also made the effort to check on me as a person, not just an athlete, and those conversations meant a lot.” - Jonny
“Benji gives everything—heart, mind, and energy—to his athletes. He knows exactly how to fire you up before a race and how to lift you up after a tough session. He always highlighted the importance of progress, and it truly paid off. Training with Benji isn’t just effective—it’s inspiring, and anyone would be lucky to have him as a coach.” - Weronika
“I’ll always remember how Benji believed in me from the beginning and always encouraged me to set my goals high. I improved as a racer and as a competitor because of the knowledge and insights that he was always quick to share. I appreciated the level of detail Benji provided and how his coaching was the right balance between data-driven and instinctual. Benji made a tremendously positive impact on my running career and I’ll always be thankful for that.” - Austen
“Benji was a thoughtful and analytical coach, and I loved working with him. He always had a deep understanding of how I was progressing, drawing on workout data and race analysis. His insight helped me build real confidence and shaped a training approach that really worked for me. He also invested time in getting to know me outside of running and used that understanding to support me to become a better athlete.” - Charlotte
Everything You Need for a Focused 16 Week Build
Complete 16-week marathon plan
Choice of three ability-based groups
Weekly 60–90-minute coaching call
Weekly questions and answers
Call recordings
Private online community
Los Angeles course and race preparation
Marathon pacing and fueling education
Race-week strategy session
Access through race day
Program begins: November 15, 2026
Race day: March 7, 2027
$399 for the complete 16 week program
Frequently Asked Questions
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No. Members follow one of three ability-based group plans. The weekly calls and community provide education, accountability and opportunities to ask questions, but the program does not include continuous individual plan adjustments.
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Calls will be recorded and added to the member community.
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Before training begins, you will receive guidance to help you select the group that best matches your recent training, experience and goals.
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No. Registration for the Los Angeles Marathon is separate and must be completed through the race organizer.
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No. Wetli Athletics is an independent coaching business and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the ASICS Los Angeles Marathon or its organizers.
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Members should already be running consistently before the 16-week program begins. More specific readiness guidelines will be provided before enrollment.
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Training questions can be discussed generally, but the program does not provide medical diagnosis, treatment or rehabilitation. Injured runners should seek guidance from an appropriate healthcare professional.
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Late entry may be available briefly after the start date, but joining before Week 1 provides the best experience.
Your Los Angeles Finish Line Starts Here
16 weeks of marathon training will bring difficult workouts, long runs, schedule challenges and moments of uncertainty. You do not have to navigate them alone.
Join runners preparing for the same race and train with the structure, coaching and community needed to reach Los Angeles ready to perform.