Even though they couldn’t all tie their own running shoes yet, 400 young marathoners of the future ages 3-8 gave their all during the LA Marathon’s “LA Big 1/2K Kids Run” Saturday at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.
Proud families cheered on their kids as they tackled the quarter-mile course and cultivated a love of running along the way. The course began at the official starting line for the 39th LA Marathon, where more than 25,000 runners are registered to race on Sunday.
Edward Torres and his daughter Aliyah, 8, cheer on mom at the finish line of the LA BIG 5K on Saturday, March 16, 2024.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Children participate in the LA Kids Run on Saturday, March 16, 2024.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Becca Prater shares a moment with Kyle Lammerding after finishing the LA BIG 5K on Saturday, March 16, 2024.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Children participate in the LA Kids Run on Saturday, March 16, 2024.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Runners cross the finish line of the LA BIG 5K on Saturday, March 16, 2024.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Isaiah Diaz, 8, crosses the finish line of the LA BIG 5K on Saturday, March 16, 2024.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Solomon Adler takes part in the LA Kids Run on Saturday, March 16, 2024.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Runners compete in the LA BIG 5K as part of the Los Angeles Marathon weekend near Dodger Stadium on Saturday, March 16, 2024.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Children participate in the LA Kids Run on Saturday, March 16, 2024.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Runners cross the finish line of the LA BIG 5K on Saturday, March 16, 2024.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Runners cross the finish line of the LA BIG 5K on Saturday, March 16, 2024.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Runners cross the finish line of the LA BIG 5K on Saturday, March 16, 2024.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Runners compete in the LA BIG 5K as part of the Los Angeles Marathon weekend near Dodger Stadium on Saturday, March 16, 2024.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
The Lakers Man keeps his concentration at the start of the LA BIG 5K as part of the Los Angeles Marathon weekend near Dodger Stadium on Saturday, March 16, 2024.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Luis Gutierrez is the men’s first place finisher of the LA BIG 5K on Saturday, March 16, 2024.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer
Nancy Hernandez and her niece Jimena, 4, share a moment before the LA BIG 5K on Saturday, March 16, 2024.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Nancy Hernandez and her niece Jimena, 4, share a moment before the LA BIG 5K on Saturday, March 16, 2024.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
The sold-out kids run was a point-to-point course, with the young runners racing from the starting line to the Saturday main event finish line, on a shortened route. Children ran the 9:45 a.m. race in waves based on age group, with all finishers earning medals. One parent was allowed to run alongside each child, which was encouraged for the youngest age groups.
Saturday’s event also included the “LA Big 5K,” which started at 8 a.m. at the LA Marathon starting line before winding through Elysian Park and finishing steps away from Dodger Stadium.
The 5K brought more than 8,000 participants of all ages and ability levels. For some experienced runners, the 5K served as a warm-up race for Sunday’s LA Marathon.
