Super heroes to the rescue

Dress up as a superhero and help raise funds for children with cancer at the annual fundraising race for kids with cancer.

The Candlelighters Shine for a Superhero 5K and 1 Mile Race with Chet Buchanan is scheduled for Sept. 13, at Exploration Park in the Mountain’s Edge master planned community located at 9600 S. Buffalo Drive, just south of Blue Diamond Road.

Formerly called the “Race for our Kids,” the Candlelighters Shine for a Superhero event helps raise critically needed funds to support those affected by childhood cancer and educate the public regarding the impact cancer has on the many children and families in Southern Nevada. With this goal in mind, families, friends, businesses and co-workers are encouraged to participate by organizing, joining or donating to a team or race or walk participant. Well-behaved, leashed pets are welcome and can also come in costume.

“Many children dream about being strong and fighting bad guys like a superhero,” said Kelly Webb, development coordinator for Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation of Nevada. “Children with cancer really are the superheroes. We see how courageous and strong these kids are when dealing with illness and all the associated issues that come with that. We wanted the race’s theme and name to better reflect the children’s strength. The superhero theme was a perfect fit.”

Last year, Candlelighters provided more than $155,000 in financial support, including assistance for medical and prescription co-pays, mortgage and rent, utilities, local transportation, travel for treatment, scholarships and funerals, to more than 225 families facing childhood cancer.

The race and walk will begin and end at Exploration Park, with the courses weaving through the 3,500-acre, best-selling community. In addition, there will be food and refreshments, and activities including raffle prizes, superhero bounce houses, a children’s play area, children’s art, an awards ceremony, booths and exhibitors. Some popular superheroes will be there to meet the children.

Exploration Park sits at the entrance to Mountain’s Edge and offers a water play area, outdoor amphitheater, picnic areas and Western Theme Village park-within-a-park to residents and event participants. The 80-acre park’s signature feature is the 2,846-foot-tall Exploration Peak, a fully restored natural mountain park where people can walk, jog and bike to the top on various trails to see panoramic views of the entire Las Vegas Valley.

Registration is open online at www.candlelightersnv.org with late registration available at 6:30 a.m. on event day. The 5K run starts at 8 a.m., and the 5K Walk and 1 Mile stroll begin at 8:15 a.m. Other activities will follow.

To participate, costs are: $25 teams (10 members or more), $25 individual adults, $20 seniors,

$15 children (ages 3-12 years old), free for childhood cancer survivors and children under 3 years old, and $40 race day registration.

The event is sponsored by Centennial Toyota, Mountain’s Edge and 8 News Now. For information or registration, visit www.candlelightersnv.org or call (702) 737-1919.

Festival attendees also are invited to tour the fast-selling master plan, and its many neighborhoods by the industry’s top homebuilders. They feature versatile, well-appointed floor plans for every lifestyle and include DR Horton, KB Home, Lennar, Pulte Homes, Richmond American Homes and Ryland Homes.

DR Horton is offering the newest models in its Denali neighborhood. These spacious open floor plans have three to five bedrooms, lofts, courtyards and three-car garages. Neighborhood amenities cover the entire family with a pool, play area, clubhouse and gym, in addition to many other conveniences of living in a master planned community.

Located in southwest Las Vegas, Mountain’s Edge celebrates the rich history and natural beauty of the area. Developed by Focus Property Group, it consistently has ranked among the country’s top 10 – now at No. 4 – best-selling master planned communities, according to leading independent real estate advisory firms.

To learn about Mountain’s Edge, visit the information center located at 9725 S. Buffalo Drive (corner of Buffalo Drive and Blue Diamond Road), call 702-898-5777 or visit www.mountainsedge.com.