Mountain’s Edge to kick off Discovery Days in September

Discovery Days at Mountain's Edge will kick off in early September with the return of the 20th anniversary Candlelighters 5K and One Mile Race for Our Kids with Chet Buchanan. The 3,500-acre master-planned community is inviting the entire valley to participate in the event, which will be held Sept. 11 at Exploration Park.

The Candlelighters 5K and One Mile Race for Our Kids celebrates and commemorates the lives of those touched by childhood cancer. A morning disc jockey at 98.5 FM KLUC, and long-time Candlelighters supporter, Buchanan will host the event, which includes 2010 Race Ambassadors Kyndel Gregory and Mackenzie Hymas.

The event will also pay tribute to the anniversary of September 11, 2001, by providing free registration for military personnel, police officers, firefighters and emergency medical services personnel.

"We are excited and honored to hold this event at Mountain's Edge once again this year," said Melissa Cipriano, executive director of Candlelighters. "Each year we have received more support from the Las Vegas community and we are looking forward to a great turnout for this year's event."

The 5K race commences at 8 a.m. and the one-mile stroll starts at 8:15 a.m. Registration begins at 6:30 a.m. and there is a $25 preregistration fee for adults and $15 preregistration fee for children. It is a $40 fee to register on the day of the race.

"This is the fourth year that Mountain's Edge has enjoyed the privilege of hosting this great event for an organization that does so much for our community," said Deonna Stocker, manager of the Home Search Café at Mountain's Edge, who said that the event also features games and activities for children after the race.

"Every year more residents participate, more funds are raised for Candlelighters and thousands of people get to see how much fun life is at Mountain's Edge."

The 5K and walk will start and finish at Mountain's Edge's Exploration Park.

"The park provides a great place for runners and walkers to gather before the events begin to stretch out and meet up with friends and teammates," Stocker said. "And after the race all of the participants unwind with a breakfast that's provided for those that register for the event."

More than 2,500 people are expected to participate in the race and walk. Funds raised by the event help the organization assist more than 1,200 families in Southern Nevada that directly benefit from the services Candlelighters provides.

Candlelighters' scope of services includes emotional, educational and financial assistance to alleviate the isolation, uncertainty and loneliness felt by families facing childhood cancer. For more information about the event, register online or to donate to Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation of Nevada, call 737-1919, or visit candlelightersnv.org.

Throughout Discovery Days, builders will be offering special promotions and deals on homes in Mountain's Edge.

Those looking to learn more about the master-planned community are invited to visit the development's Home Search Café, located at the community's entrance on Buffalo Drive and Blue Diamond Road, or visit mountainsedge.com. The Café is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., daily, and can be reached at 898-5777.