Candlelighters to glow

Boot Camp Las Vegas has added an interesting twist for 5K racers and spectators at this morning's Candlelighters Race for our Kids with Chet Buchanan at Exploration Park at Mountain's Edge, a master-planned community in the southwest valley. The new component of the event is a military-style obstacle course available for 5K racers after their run.

"We're excited to be involved with today's Race for our Kids and help raise funds to support kids with cancer and their families," said Julie Johnston, founder of Boot Camp Las Vegas, which offers unique fitness programs that integrate tough workouts with the support and motivation of a team.

"We thought adding the obstacle course would be something fun and different for those up to an extra challenge." She added no other race for charity has this element.

At check-in, 5K participants will be asked if they want to add the obstacle course. If they agree, they will be given a camouflage-colored wrist band and directed to the obstacle site after crossing the 5K finish line. The course will include a military wall, rope climb, army crawl, pulling tires exercise and calisthenics. Separate awards will be presented for first-, second- and third-place finishers.

There is no extra charge to participate in this add-on activity, however, additional donations to the nonprofit Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation are welcome.

All Race for our Kids activities take place at Exploration Park, with the race course winding through the 3,500-acre community.

The park is located just south of the main Mountain's Edge entrance at 9275 S. Buffalo Drive (Buffalo and Blue Diamond Road).

Today's festivities also include food and refreshments, raffle prizes, children's play area, children's silent art auction, bone marrow drive, awards ceremony, boot camp obstacle course and exhibitors, including booths from several Mountain's Edge homebuilders.

Key times are 6:30 a.m., check-in; 7:30 a.m., opening ceremonies; 8 a.m., 5K run start; 8:15 a.m., 5K walk; and 8:30 a.m., 1-mile stroll start. The other activities follow.

Race day registration is $40 per person between 6:30 and 7:30 a.m. There is an additional $5 for timed runners, and childhood cancer survivors and children younger than 3 are free. There is no charge for nonrace and nonwalk attendees. Leashed pets are welcome.

Event sponsors include Mountain's Edge, Walmart, 8 News Now, Las Vegas Review-Journal, CBS Radio, 98.5 KLUC, Children's Specialty Center, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada, United Health Care, Republic Services/Evergreen Recycling, US Bank, Credit One Bank, Walker Furniture, Outback Steakhouse, The Idea Factory, NMR Staging & Events, Landworks, Medic West, Brenden Theatres, Be the Match, Sierra Ice, Pepsi, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Boot Camp Las Vegas and Wheels In Motion.

After the race, attendees are invited to explore the homes and neighborhoods at Mountain's Edge, named the No. 5 best-selling master planned community in the country by RCLCO, the leading independent real estate advisory firm. It is also Nevada's top seller.

Prospective buyers will benefit from the Discovery Days promotion, which highlights homebuilders' incentives on a new-home purchase. Discovery Days runs through Oct. 31.

Mountain's Edge builders include Amstar Homes, Beazer Homes, Camden Homes, Discovery Homes, Harmony Homes, KB Home, Lennar, Meritage Homes, Pardee Homes, Pulte Homes, Richmond American Homes, Ryland Homes, StoryBook Homes, William Lyons Homes and Woodside Homes.

To learn more, visit the Mountain's Edge New Home Information Center, open daily from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., at 9275 S. Buffalo Drive; call 898-5777; or visit www.mountainsedge.com.

The Candlelighters Race for our Kids is now in its 21st year. Children from birth to 21 years of age who have been diagnosed with cancer or who have survived cancer are eligible for services if they are living or being treated in Nevada. For Candlelighters information, visit candlelightersnv.org or call 737-1919.