** COMING EVENTS **

SATURDAY, MARCH 1 (8:30 AM) – FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY 5K/10K:

These hilly races start and finish at Shamel Park on the ocean side of Highway 1 at the north end of Cambria (turn at the Windsor Blvd. signal) and cover land on the East/West ranch. There is an entry fee of $10 with prizes to the first place male and female. There will also be a two mile walk and a two mile dog walk. The race is directed by Doug Buckmaster, 1965 Emmons Road, Cambria, 93428, 927-4206, dougbuck@sbcglobal.net and Jerry Shea, 924-1506 (go2icon@netscape.net).

SUNDAY, MARCH 9 (9:00 A.M.) - SAN LUIS MOUNTAIN 10K RUN (Laguna Lake Park):

This rugged course is speckled with challenging single track, fire road, and double track trails with an elevation gain of 1,500 feet, set against Laguna Lake with views of the coastal range and an overlook of downtown San Luis Obispo. Proceeds benefit San Luis Obispo County's Special Olympics. Entry fees are $35 ($30 for students), add $10 on the day of registration. The fee includes awards in 22 categories, an event T-shirt, refreshments, raffle (must be present to win), King of the Mountain (first person to the aid station at the top of the hill) and a race clinic plus prizes for the top three male and female finishers. To register, visit www.slomountainrun.com or contact Nimble Creative LLC, 1313 Pacific Street, San Luis Obispo, 93401, 546-8077, racing@slomountainrun.com.

SATURDAY, MARCH 15 (10:00 A.M.) - BRADLEY BULLDOG 5K/10K:

This annual event is to raise money for the Marjorie Vicente Scholarship fund at Bradley Elementary School. The Bulldog walk/run takes place at Bradley Community Hall on the corner of Dixie and Hall Streets in Bradley (north of San Miguel). Registration will be from 8:45 – 9:45 and the walk and run begin at 10:00. The cost for pre-registration including a T-shirt is $15.00 and $10 without a T-shirt.  Race day registration including a T-shirt is $20 and $12 without a T-shirt. Additional donations for the Marjorie Vicente Scholarship fund are also welcome. Contact Bradley School at (805) 472-2310 for registration forms or more information.

SATURDAY, MARCH 15 (9:00 A.M.) - EIGHTH ANNUAL DR. JOHN C. TRETTIN MEMORIAL 5K:

This race was established to honor the memory of Lompoc marathoner John Trettin who was killed in a bicycling accident in the summer of 2000. This race starts and finishes at Cabrillo High School, 4350 Constellation Road and will be held on the Cabrillo HS cross-country course located behind the school. Registration begins at 8:00 AM and is the day of the race only. Entry fees are $10 for adults and $5 for ages 18 and under. Awards are three deep in eleven divisions with overall male and female winner plaques. A limited of T-shirts will be available for purchase on race day. Contact Miguel Ortiz at 286-0248 or Kent Yankee at 733-0754 for more information.

SUNDAY, MARCH 16 (8:30 A.M.) – MONTANA DE ORO TRAIL RUNS (8K, 12K, 25K, & 50K):

This is part of the Pacific Coast Trail series of “runs that aren’t races in beautiful places” designed to provide a quality trail running experience. Entry fees vary with the distance and are $30 for the 8K and 12K, $40 for the 25K, & $55 for the 50K by March 2, add $5 to each fee after that, and add $15 on race day. There are T-shirts to all entrants, refreshments, and awards to the first male and female to finish. All runners are timed although the emphasis is primarily non-competitive. Check the web site at www.pctrailruns.com to register.

SATURDAY, APRIL 5 (9:30/10:00 A.M.) - SCOTT WILLIAMS MEMORIAL PARK 5K CROSS COUNTRY RUN:

Held on the Picnic Grounds of the Federal Correctional Complex, the run offers scenic vistas of the Lompoc Valley to which the general public has not previously had access. The run is a fundraiser for the construction and maintenance of a memorial park honoring fallen staff from the Federal Bureau of Prisons. There is a children’s 1K run at 9:30 for $10; the 5K is at 10:00 and is $15 for pre-registration by March 20. Add $5 to each for race day registration, which starts at 9:00. The awards ceremony will be at 11:30. Sponsored by the FCC Employees’ Club and the Lompoc Valley Distance Club.  Contact Doris Fredieu at the FCC Employees’ Club, 3600 Guard Road, Lompoc, 93436, or call Scott Leedham at 736-4154, Ext. 626 for more information.

SATURDAY, APRIL 12 (9:00 A.M.) - AVILA BEACH 5K & YOUTH MILE:

This is a benefit for the “I Dream” Foundation with a course that is entirely on the sand at low tide. Start/finish under the pier in Avila Beach. Fees are $5 for the kids (day of race registration only), $20 in advance and $25 on race day for adults. The 5K is at 9:00 and the kids (ages 7-14) are at 10:30. Register through www.active.com. Call Mission Multisport at 459-6967 for more information.

SUNDAY, APRIL 13 (8:00/8:15 A.M.) - 12th ANNUAL WINE COUNTRY HALF MARATHON & 5K:

The race will start and finish at River Oaks Hot Springs & Spa, 800 Clubhouse Drive, just off Highway 46 a few miles east of Paso Robles. The course takes you over rolling hills, through picturesque vineyards, and along the Salinas River. After the race, enjoy breakfast, music, a raffle, and the awards ceremony. All runners receive a race T-shirt and both the first place male and female winners of the half marathon win their weight in wine. Special “top finisher” awards to the first 100 in the 5K and half marathon, finisher medals to all the kids in the Grape Stomp. The half marathon begins first at 8:00, followed by the 5K at 8:15, and then the kid’s half mile for ages 10 & under at 9:00. Entry fees are $45 for the half marathon, $25 for the 5K, and $15 for the kids race, add $5 to each after March 30. Awards are three deep in 13 age groups for both the 5K and half marathon, The race web site is www.winecountryruns.com, register at www.active.com, e-mail mcrundoc@digitalputty.com, or call 226-9911.

SATURDAY, APRIL 19 (9:00 A.M.) - MISSION MULTISPORT 5K/10K CROSS COUNTRY RUNS:

The Earth Day Running Festival will consist of a 10K cross country race at 9 AM, a 5K x-c race at 10 AM (both on dirt), a European style cross country race with barriers and obstacles at 10:45, and a 1 mile European style x-c race for kids ages 8-13 at 11:30. The site is the Fairbanks XC Course across from Cuesta College with check-in 45 minutes before your race. Costs are $20 for ages 14 through adult if signed up early and $25 on the day of the race. Kids in the one mile are $5 with race day sign-ups only. Awards for race winners and medals to all the finishers in the youth race. Kathy Hennelly, www.missionmultisport.com, 459-6967, register at www.active.com.

SATURDAY, APRIL 26 (8:00 AM) - 14TH ANNUAL SANTA MARIA VALLEY Y.M.C.A. TRIATHLON:

A 1/4 mile pool swim, a 12.5 mile (short course) or 17.9 mile (long course) bike ride, and a 5K run on roads around the YMCA and through Waller Park. $45 entry fee for individuals, $90 for teams by April 16, entries after that date are $10 more and are on a walk-in and space available basis only. T-shirts to all pre-entries and to late registrants as available, awards to the top two finishers in 9 age categories and three relay divisions. Lisa Niedrauer, Santa Maria YMCA, 3400 Skyway Drive, Santa Maria, 93455, 937-8521, lniedrauer@smvymca.org, www.smvymca.org.

SATURDAY, MAY 3 (8:00 A.M.) - BULL CANYON 5K & 10K:

This event is sponsored by the Law Enforcement Torch Run and proceeds go to benefit Special Olympics.  All events start at the Edwards Community Center, just north of Pioneer Valley High School in Santa Maria. The 5K is a relatively flat out and back course while the 10K continues farther up Bull Canyon and has more hills. All events start at 8:00 AM. The cost is $15 for walkers and youth runners under 18 while adults pay $20. If you wait until race day, the price is an extra $5. Pre-registered runners/walkers are guaranteed a shirt, all finishers receive a medal, and awards are 3 deep in 14 age categories. Plaques will be awarded to top 3 finishers in both races as well as to the top finisher in the master (40+) and grand master (50+) divisions. Register on line at www.active.com or go the race web site at www.bcrun.org. Forms can also be found at the Santa Maria Recreation & Parks office. For more, call Lt. Ken George at 928-3781, ext 3652 or e-mail to kgeorge@ci.santa-maria.ca.us. 

SATURDAY, MAY 10 (7:15 A.M.) - SANTA BARBARA WINE COUNTRY HALF MARATHON:

This half marathon features a reception and orientation, expo, pasta dinner, and a post-race brunch. Prices are $45 for the Half Marathon and $60 for the 2 Person Relay (price includes both team members). The course starts at Maverick’s Saloon in Santa Ynez and passes through Los Olivos (the relay transition area) before heading down Ballard Canyon into Solvang. Each participant receives a logo wine glass, plus live music, food, and vendor booths, Wine, cash & other prizes will be awarded to the top finishers. Participants have the option of entering the Half Marathon or the 2-person relay. The relay will be split into the first 5.6 miles to Los Olivos and the 7.5 mile mostly downhill leg into Solvang. Santa Barbara Wine Country Half Marathon, 3630 Segunto Street, Santa Ynez, register at www.active.com or check www.destinationraces.com.

SATURDAY, MAY 10 (8:30 A.M.) – MIRACLE MILES FOR KIDS 10K WALK/RUN:

Support foster and special needs children, youth, and their families by participating in the Miracle Miles for Kids 10K. Start at the base of Morro Rock and run along one of the most beautiful stretches of beach in California to the finish at the pier in Cayucos, The $30 entry fee includes a t-shirt, post-race barbeque, live music, and goody bag along with prizes in half a dozen age divisions. You can also form teams and raise pledges. Check out the website at www.fcni.org for complete race information. The event is sponsored by Family Care Network, 3765 South Higuera Street, #100, San Luis Obispo, 93401, register on-line at www.active.com, or call 781-3535.