18-Hour Transit Marathon:
Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions about riding, fundraising, or supporting Move LA's 18-hour Transit Marathon on California Clean Air Day? We’ve got answers! If you don't see your question addressed below, feel free to reach out to our team.
General Event Questions:
What is the 18-Hour Transit Marathon?
The 18-Hour Transit Marathon is Move LA’s signature California Clean Air Day event. Executive Director Eli Lipmen and guest transit advocates will spend 18 continuous hours navigating Southern California’s public transportation system. The journey will span buses, light rail, commuter rail, rapid transit lines, and bike share in order to showcase the reach, accessibility, and critical importance of clean, connected transit in our region.
When and where does the event take place?
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Date: Wednesday, October 7, 2026 (California Clean Air Day)
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Time: Starts early morning (approx. 6:40 AM) and runs through midnight!
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Location: Routes span Greater Los Angeles, including Union Station, South LA, the South Bay, Long Beach, the Westside, and Hollywood.
If I sign up to participate, do I have to ride for all 18 hours?
Nope! You are welcome to join us for as much or as little of the route as you like.
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Hop on for a single leg: Join us for your regular morning commute, an afternoon coastal ride, or the evening victory lap.
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Meet us at a featured stop: Join the group for breakfast in Claremont Village, meet local organizers at our South LA Transit Justice lunch stop, catch sunset at Dockweiler Beach, or grab dinner in Hollywood.
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Go the distance: If you want to ride the full marathon from Union Station to midnight, you are more than welcome to tackle the full 18-hour challenge!
How do I track Eli and the group in real time on event day?
All registered participants will receive an email with a link to our Eli Tracker. You can open this link on your phone or computer at any time to see the group’s exact position and meet us at any station along the route.
What if I can’t ride on event day? Can I still participate?
Yes! You don't need to be on a bus or train to be part of the Transit Marathon. Here are two impactful ways to support Move LA on California Clean Air Day from anywhere:
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Make a Direct Donation in support of the Transit Marathon or Support a Rider: You can make a general contribution to the event or donate directly to a participant's personal fundraising page to help them reach their goals (like earning a seat at our $250 VIP Dinner!). Every dollar fuels our year-round advocacy for zero-emission buses, dedicated transit lanes, and safer streets.
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Follow & Amplify on Social Media: Ride along with us virtually! We’ll be broadcasting live updates, photos, and video clips from all 13 transit lines throughout the 18-hour journey. Follow @MoveLATransit on Instagram, share our posts with your network, and use the hashtags #TransitMarathon and #CleanAirDay to amplify our call for clean, connected transit across SoCal.
What does the Transit Marathon support?
All registration fees and funds raised through the Transit Marathon directly support Move LA’s year-round advocacy campaigns. Specifically, your support funds:
- Securing Transit Funding: Fueling coalition-building to protect and expand funding for frequent, safe, and reliable transit across Los Angeles.
- Grassroots Outreach & Organizing: Supporting on-the-ground engagement with everyday commuters, ensuring rider voices shape the future of regional transportation.
- Digital & Community Campaigns: Scaling our reach to thousands of residents across Southern California, moving people out of single-occupancy vehicles and onto public transit.
- Frequent & Reliable Service: Advocating for dedicated bus lanes, expanded rail lines, and seamless transfers so transit works for everyone.
Registration & Rider T-Shirts
How do I register to participate?
You can register as a rider directly on our website. Your registration includes your official Transit Marathon T-shirt and sets up your personal fundraising page.
How do I ensure that I get my preferred T-shirt size?
After registering, you’ll be directed to a quick T-shirt size survey page.
⚠️ Important Size Guarantee Deadline: Please submit your T-shirt size by September 25th to guarantee your preferred size. Requests submitted after September 25th will be fulfilled on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last on event day.
Where do I pick up my T-shirt?
T-shirts will be distributed on event day. Additional pre-event pickup or route pickup details will be emailed to registered riders prior to event day.
Fundraising for my ride
How does fundraising work?
When you register as a rider, you will automatically receive a personal fundraising link. Share this link with your friends, family, co-workers, and social networks to ask them to support your ride! Every dollar raised directly powers Move LA’s advocacy for dedicated bus lanes, safer streets, and expanded regional transit options.
How much should I ask people to donate?
Any amount helps! Great starting points to suggest to your supporters include:
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$18 (in honor of Eli's 18-hour ride)
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$1 per mile or $1 per hour on transit
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Any custom amount they choose!
What is the VIP Dinner incentive?
Riders who raise $250 or more through their personal fundraising page will earn an exclusive invitation to Move LA ’s post-marathon VIP dinner at the historic Musso & Frank Grill in Hollywood (8:30 PM) with Executive Director Eli Lipmen, Move LA leadership, and fellow top transit advocates!
Event Day Preparation & Logistics
Do I need to pay my own transit fares?
Yes. Participants are responsible for their own transit fares throughout the day. Please make sure your physical TAP card, TAP mobile app wallet, or Metrolink ticket is pre-loaded before joining the group. Please note that note that certain legs or agencies on the itinerary may be free on October 7.
What should I bring with me on event day?
- Pre-loaded TAP card / Metrolink pass
- Fully charged smartphone
- Portable external battery charger (essential for an 18-hour day!)
- Refillable water bottle & snacks
- Sunscreen & comfortable walking shoes
- A light jacket or layers for coastal stops (Dockweiler Beach) and evening transit
Have additional questions?
Reach out to the Move LA team at [email protected] and we'll be glad to help!