Providence park event caters to kids who like to get messy

There are many great walks and races for adults, but few are for children outside of schools or camps. The Mudpuppy Splash changes that. Designed for the younger set, this fun 100-meter race culminates with a 40-foot-long mud pit. It's also the companion to the 4.5-mile Mad Mud Run obstacle course for adults.

Both races will be held April 21 at Knickerbocker Park in the Providence master-planned community in northwest Las Vegas. The new park is at 10695 W. Dorrell Lane.

"It's very entertaining to watch kids go through the mud pit," said Rick Eastman, Mudpuppy Splash and Mad Mud Run organizer, intimating he may add a few surprises. "Most kids jump right in, with some more (being) tentative; but once in, they're all smiles."

He said it's the same with older kids and adults.

"People appreciate that our events are different than traditional races and walks and for all fitness levels. Of course, the mud is the star as most of us never get a chance to play in mud."

The Mudpuppy Splash is open to the first 200 4- to 12-year-olds who register. The $15 per child cost includes a T-shirt, race bib, dog tag and refreshments. Children ages 4 to 6 must be accompanied by a parent through the mud pit. Registration will be available from 7:30-10 a.m. on race day with the race starting around 11:30 a.m.

Children and adults also are invited to bring Super Soakers and squirt guns to douse the Mad Mud Run participants with water in the Splash Zone just after the race begins.

"We'll have water barrels handy so 'volunteer soakers' can easily reload, and racers will get the full Splash Zone effect," Eastman said.

After the Splash Zone, Mad Mud Run participants will follow an action-packed, marked course including a low wall, belly crawl, balance beams, water wall, tire array, hay bales and finally the mud pit. The minimum age is 12. For those younger than 18, special waivers are required. Male, female and co-ed teams of two and five may participate, and costumes are welcome.

A portion of the proceeds from these events will benefit Spread the Word Nevada, a local nonprofit organization that promotes literacy for children in Nevada.

Entrants and other attendees are encouraged to donate to or bring new and gently used books to the event.

"We're excited to host the Mad Mud Run and Mudpuppy Splash events again this year, and help support Spread the Word Nevada's mission of providing books to underprivileged children," said Brandon Exline, Capital Consultants Management Corp. community manager for the Providence Master Homeowners Association. "Great events like these allow us to show the positive attributes of homeowners associations."

Other activities at Knickerbocker Park will include entertainment, refreshments, booths, volleyball, soccer and park games. Awards will be given to fastest individuals and teams and best costumes.

Registration is online at www.madmudrun.com through midnight Tuesday, or in person at Knickerbocker Park on race day from 7:30-9:30 a.m. The $60 per person cost includes an event T-shirt, goody bag, dog tag and refreshments.

A mandatory prerace meeting will be held at 9:45 a.m. with the race beginning at 10 a.m. Pre-event check-in takes place 5-7:30 p.m. April 20 at REI in Boca Park, 710 S. Rampart Blvd.

For information, registration or to volunteer, visit www.madmudrun.com, or email help@sierraadventuresports.com.

After the races, visitors can clean up a bit and take a drive through Providence, which has been ranked as one of the best-selling master-planned communities.

The community offers well-appointed model homes and builder promotions.

For example, Warmington's Northern Terrace has introduced several new flexible home models that include many lifestyle and energy-saving features, more bedrooms, great rooms, first-floor bedroom option and other amenities.

Plans range from the low $100,000s to the low $200,000s.

They measure from 1,529 to 3,410 square feet. A selection of move-in-ready homes are available.

For information, visit www.HomesByWarmington.com/LasVegas or call 395-6728.

To learn more about Providence, visit www.providencelv.com, call 433-5084 or come to the community's information center, 7051 N. Hualapai Way, north Las Vegas Beltway and Hualapai.