In case you missed the banners on every major street in town and the commercials on KNBC, it's time for the LA Marathon. Even if your idea of a workout is walking to the TV when the batteries in your remote die, this event is likely to have an impact on your life. About 26,000 runners will pound 26.2 miles of pavement on Sunday morning. That's right, 26.2 miles of street closures for just the marathon. Add in 17,000 bikers on a separate 20 mile course, a 5K run/walk (that's 3.1 miles), endless spectators, hundreds of volunteers, dozens of media trucks, and, well, good luck getting to church on time.

This is the 22nd year for the marathon, which was started after the 1984 Olympics to keep the spirit of the games running through LA. Since then, the race has become famous for glitzy features like celebrity runners, entertainment stages along the course, and over 1,000 organized cheerleaders. It's also one of the premier community events in Los Angeles, uniting hundreds of thousands of spectators who line the streets. Many offer water and oranges, while others jam with their garage bands on the sidewalk. To keep things fresh, this will be the first year of a new point-to-point route that starts at Universal Studios Hollywood and ends at the traditional downtown finish line by the Central Library. For runners, this means a flatter course and the prospect of faster times.

Since they start and end so far apart, participants are being encouraged to use Metro (it's free that day for runners). Non-participants traveling in the area may want to think about public transportation, too. To see if you'll be affected by the closures, check out the course maps and plan to Go Metro.

If you're running the marathon, you should know the drill by now. If this is the first you've heard about the race, it's a bad idea to run it without proper training. However, there are four cool things that this event offers you without the blisters and bloody nipples associated with endurance sports. More after the jump.

Bike The Lonely Streets - You'll have to wake up early for the 5:50am start of the Acura LA Bike Tour, but with two wheels a just a tad over 20 miles you can get a finisher's medal with less effort than the marathoners. It's also a laid back atmosphere, being dubbed a "ride" rather than a "race." Biking the streets of LA with no vehicular traffic is a treat reserved for just this one day each year. If you want to participate, you'll have to register at the Marathon Expo (info below). There will be no registration the day of the ride, and bandits without a bib number will be removed from the course.

Run 5K - The Emerald Nuts 5K Run/Walk offers weekend warriors the chance to stretch their legs for just over 3 miles around downtown and participate in the marathon festivities without grinding out all 26.2 miles. With a modest 7:30am start and registration at either the Marathon Expo or on the morning of the race, it's an easier option for a lot of people.

Cheer 'Em On - If you can't wake up early or aren't inclined to get sweaty, you still should take part on race day by watching live and in-person. While KNBC will allow you to monitor everything from your couch, you'll miss the best part. The marathon gives participants and spectators a feeling of civic pride that is almost impossible to find elsewhere in this megalopolis. For one glorious moment each year, LA becomes a small town with friendly neighbors. Go give somebody a high five!

Get Free Stuff - Busy on Sunday? Out of town? Fine. You've got no excuse not to check out the Marathon Expo at the LA Convention Center on Friday and Saturday. Easily the top race expo in Southern California and likely one of the nation's best, thousands of active lifestyle exhibitors will be showing off their coolest products and innovations. Admission is free, and there are always lots of giveaways.

Photo by MarathonFoto.