Little Feet Can Set Pace at 5th Mini-Marathon

If you’re planning to take the family to the upcoming L.A. Marathon, today’s Fifth Annual Mini-Marathon at the Los Angeles Children’s Museum will set the pace, so to speak, with a run through the museum.

The race will start at 11 a.m. in the Performance Space. Actor and marathon runner Steve Jehring will be back this year to lead youngsters in a series of warm-up exercises. Once participants are running in place, they will begin the official “race,” running a course around the museum’s exhibits to the cheers of parents and others. “Mile 26” is back again at the Performance Space, with all runners receiving certificates of participation. No prizes will be awarded.

Youngsters who would rather help out than run may volunteer to be reporters, race officials and water-station volunteers.

The post-race celebrations include an afternoon of samba and limbo dancing, also in the Performance Space, as youngsters learn about carnival traditions. Students from Cheremoya School, who have formed “Ecola de la Samba,” a samba band, will perform at 1 p.m., and recorded music will be played the rest of the afternoon. The musical program will be repeated on Sunday afternoon. In the Ethnic L.A. exhibit both days, staff artists will demonstrate how to make carnival-style beads and necklaces that youngsters will be able to take home.

The museum is at 310 N. Main St., Los Angeles. Weekend hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $4. Information: (213) 687-8801.