CARLSBAD -- More than 2,000 participants ran, strolled and rolled through Legoland California on Saturday morning during the Keebler Kids Marathon Mile, a noncompetitive run for children ages 12 and under and their families.

The annual event is part of the Carlsbad Marathon weekend, which includes today's marathon and half marathon.

Hundreds of young runners packed the Legoland parking lot Saturday morning, jogging in place, doing jumping jacks, running practice sprints and getting some last minute words of encouragement from mom and dad.

As they got ready to run, Vista resident Matthew Harper and his son, Jacob, 8, said this was their first time participating in the Marathon Mile.

"I like running," said Jacob Harper, who said he is in a running club at school.

Although Jacob and his father have both competed in other races -- Matthew is running in the half marathon today -- they said the Marathon Mile was just a fun father-son outing.

"He'll beat me if we do it competitive," said Matthew Harper.

Nearby, Caylee Weinhouse, 9, of Escondido, was warming up with a family friend, Patti Wohlin of Ramona. Although Caylee's mother, Michele, was just a spectator Saturday, she is also competing in the half marathon today.

"I'm faster than my mom," said Caylee Weinhouse.

"But I can run longer," said Michele Weinhouse.

Wohlin said that she and the Weinhouses are running this weekend to raise money for Fresh Start Surgical Gifts, a nonprofit organization that provides free reconstructive plastic surgery and related services to children and young adults with physical deformities.

"We're a multigenerational team," said Wohlin, who said the name of their fundraising team was "The Three Amigas."

Just before 8 a.m., the first heat of runners, the 12-year-old group, took their places at the starting line. Although the event is billed as being noncompetitive -- meaning no time is kept, no places are recorded and everyone gets a medal -- most of the young runners looked as though they were going for Olympic gold. The young athletes anxiously leaned forward, hands on knees or elbows out, and with the blast of an air horn, they were off.

Cameras flashed, camcorders rolled and parents cheered as each group of runners began the mile course through the amusement park. The final heat of participants, the 6-year-old and under group, was by far the largest as most of the tiny athletes were toted on their parents' shoulders or pushed along in strollers.

By 8:07 a.m., the first runners began to cross the finish line, sprinting in with wind-chapped cheeks. As they completed the course, each child received a gold medal with a rainbow neck ribbon and Keebler medallion. All participants also received a free T-shirt and a goodie bag containing a free child's admission pass to Legoland, a free Ultra Star Cinema child's movie pass and a coupon for a free popcorn, Keebler snacks and coupons.

There were hugs and high-fives all around as proud parents met their children at the finish line. Ten-year-old Carlsbad resident Ryan Wood gratefully accepted a bottle of water from his mother, Lisa, after the race. After catching his breath, Ryan said the Marathon Mile was "a little harder" than he expected.

"There were a lot of twists and turns," said Ryan Wood, "but it was fun."

The Marathon Mile was a family affair for Susan Alston of Carlsbad and her daughters, Jaden, 11, and Layne, 9, and son Davis, 3. The self-described "Legoland regulars" said they had never run the race before Saturday, but that they will "absolutely" participate again next year.

"That was a good time," said Susan Alston. "That was fun."

Carlsbad Marathon weekend continues today with the marathon and half marathon.

More than 6,500 runners are scheduled to compete in the races, which begin at Westfield Plaza on El Camino Real at 5:30 this morning. For more information, visit www.carlsbadmarathon.com.