Equestrian Center welcomes Barnyard Buddies riding lessons

Watch for runners and spectators supporting the Lakewood Run.

Lakewood Run is March 4; please avoid traffic delays

Rain or shine, the Lakewood Run returns the morning of Saturday, March 4 when Sheriff’s deputies, recreational runners, families and kids gather at the starting line in front of the Lakewood Sheriff’s Station to run the event’s 5K/10K course for time, or do the 5K walk or ruck.

Participants and spectators can also enjoy a fitness expo, displays of public safety equipment and programs, live entertainment and special giveaways from Lakewood-area businesses.

Major sponsors include Lakewood Center, TLD Law, Kenny’s Auto Service, Farmers & Merchants Bank, Kidz Town Indoor Playground and the City of Lakewood.

You can still register through March 3 for $50 for the 5K Run/Walk or $55 for the 5K Ruck or 10K Run. On race day, registration fees are $55 and $60. Register online now at www.lakewoodrun. com/registration

Your support of the Lakewood Run provides funding for many local organizations, including Soroptimist International of Lakewood/Long Beach, Su Casa~Ending Domestic Violence, Friends of the Lakewood Sheriff’s Station Fund, and 9-9-9 for Kids (a program benefitting foster children in L.A. County).

Race day registration begins at 6:30 a.m. The 10K Run starts at 8 a.m., 5K Run at 8:10 a.m. and 5K Walk/ Ruck at 8:15 a.m.

You may encounter traffic delays when traveling certain streets on March 4 from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m.

The Lakewood Run begins on Clark Avenue in front of the Sheriff's Station and proceeds toward South Street. The race will also use:

• South Street (from Clark Avenue to Palo Verde Avenue)

• Palo Verde Avenue (from South Street to Harvey Way, crossing Del Amo Boulevard)

• Harvey Way (from Palo Verde to Woodruff Avenue)

• Woodruff Avenue (from Harvey Way to Del Amo Boulevard)

• Del Amo Boulevard (from Woodruff to Clark Avenue) Briercrest Avenue will be used for the 5K run between South Street and Del Amo Boulevard.

Hundreds of runners, walkers and wheelchair participants will be in attendance, and Sheriff's deputies and volunteers will be assigned to traffic control and safety that morning.

To review the course, and for parking information, visit the Lakewood Run website at www.lakewoodrun.com. ♦

Located at 11369 East Carson St. (near the San Gabriel River), the Lakewood Equestrian Center is a 19-acre horse boarding and training facility that also offers fun activities for families and youth, including:

• Birthday party packages

• Summer camps and field trips

• Pony rides and trail rides

• Riding lessons

• Equine education

While boarding and training horses are the primary focus of the Center, the grounds also include Barnyard Buddies, which offers riding lessons for ages 3-7, trail rides for kids, and an animal interaction space with a variety of farm animals.

Barnyard Buddies also offers summer camps, birthday party packages and field trips for families and is open Wednesday through Sunday, between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Trail rides and lessons gmail.com. for children are available by appointment. For questions and pricing or to make an appointment, contact Barnyard Buddies at 562-405-1010 or lakewoodbarnyardbuddies@

Riding lessons in both English and Western styles are available for adults and children ages 7 and older.

For more information about Western lessons, call Michele Bloomquist at 562480-3875, and for English and Western lessons, call Sandie Mercer at 562-4251905. Both trainers also offer summer camps and scout badge programs.

Shoestring City Ranch is a nonprofit 100% volunteer-run equine education program to help abandoned horses.

Youth can learn the technical and interpersonal skills needed to care for an animal.

For schedule and details, call 562-818-7930 or visit Shoestring City Ranch’s Facebook page @shoestringcityranchforkids or www.shoestringcityranch.org. ♦