54 HOURS: A Guide to Recreational Events Between 6 p.m. Friday and Midnight Sunday : Really, It’s OK to Eat and Run Here

It was mostly out of fear that, at age 50, Helen Dick decided to join the swarms of runners in her Brentwood neighborhood--fear that as she got older, it would be difficult to manage her weight. Becoming a competitive runner “was not my goal at all,” Dick says. But now, at age 71, Dick is among the fastest masters division runners in the country. She’s competed in the Honolulu, Boston, New York and Chicago marathons--where she set the women’s world record of 3:08. O.J. Simpson used to be one of her running partners.

On Saturday, Dick will take to the streets of Westwood for the “PruCare Eat and Run 5000,” held for the first time in conjunction with the Gas Company’s annual three-day “L.A. a la Carte.”

The “Eat and Run” includes a 5K run, the 3K Landmark Walk, a Munchkin Mile and corporate race, beginning near the entrance to “L.A. a la Carte” at the intersection of Gayley and Kinross in Westwood Village (registration at 8 a.m.). UCLA Medical Center will host a Health and Fitness Expo 8 a.m.-1 p.m. in the village.

After working up an appetite, runners get free admission to the “L.A. a la Carte” food and music festival. James Brown and other top-name entertainers in rock, jazz, reggae and blues will keep three stages hopping throughout the weekend. There are also activities for kids. The festival begins Friday, 5 p.m.-midnight, and continues Saturday, noon-midnight, and Sunday, noon-10 p.m. Adults $8; children 3-12, $3. Festival info: (800) 517-2360; race info: (310) 278-2030.