SANTA MARIA Bull Canyon Run May 19, 2018, 7:30 a.m.

Edwards Community Center
Santa Maria, CA
$30, 25 youth | $15 kids fun run,  bcrun.org

The event is open to the public. The race course does not go to the Pacific Ocean as shown in photo.

All events start at the Edwards Community Center, located at the corner of Panther and Dominguez, in the City of Santa Maria. Go east on Main Street from US101, past Suey and then left on Panther Drive. Ample parking at the high school and on Panther. Do not enter from the north via Donovan Road.

The staging area is open at 6:30 AM on raceday to pick up your race packet.

Staggered start for all events. Strollers and nice, happy dogs are permitted on the walk and run, but must start in the rear of the pack. Please pick up after your pet. Runners/Walkers must control their dogs on the course and avoid interfering with runners. Walkers must also yield to runners on the course at all times.

10K Run & Walk (start at 7:30 AM):
The 10K run is an out and back course. The start is at the Edwards Community Center and heads north on Panther to Bull Canyon Road. Runners continue north on Bull Canyon towards 166. The turn-around point is a few 100 feet shy of the 166.

5K Run & Walk (start at 8:00 AM):
The 5K run is also an out and back course and starts along with the 10K. The turn-around point is about 1/2 way up Bull Canyon.

1/2K Kid's Run (start at 9:45 AM):
Fun run for kids age 5 and under. Same start and finish, but entire route can be viewed from there so parents can see their kids the entire time.

1K Kid's Run (start at 9:55 AM):
Fun run for kids age 6-9. Same start and finish as the 1/2K, but the kids make 2 laps.

Bull Canyon Road winds its way through a narrow valley along the Santa Barabara/San Luis Obispo County line between the Santa Maria River and Highway 166. The two lane, paved country road meanders between several farms and hilly pastures filled with grazing cows. You'll even see cattle sitting in front of yards near the road.

Bull Canyon Road is especially known for an annual 5 and 10K run called, Bull Canyon Run. It began in 1999 with Bull Canyon Road chosen because it was easy to close the road, providing a nice run through the countryside. The Bull Canyon Run is a Law Enforcement Torch Run sponsored event that raises funds for Special Olympics.

95 runners came to the first event and by 2000, there were over 150 runners. By 2002, the number doubled with 300 runners raising over $6000 for Special Olympics. In 2006 there were 530 runners. The event is normally held in the spring. For current information, visit bcrun.org

Several of the big events each year include the Santa Maria Elks Rodeo and Parade, the Strawberry Festival and Christmas Parade.