Race, walk, activities for whole family at Mountain’s Edge today

Special to RJNewHomes.Vegas

9 years ago

Batgirl leads other runners in support of kids with cancer at the annual Candlelighters fundraising race and walk. This morning‘s race starts at 8 a.m. at Exploration Park in Mountain‘s Edge with family-friendly festivities until noon. PROMOTIONAL PHOTO

A team dressed as superheroes support participate in last year‘s Candlelighters fundraising race and walk for children battling cancer. PROMOTIONAL PHOTO

Start today with a dose of positivity, and support kids with cancer at this morning’s 25th Anniversary Superhero 5K with Chet Buchanan. Early risers can still race, walk, cheer for participants and enjoy event festivities at the Exploration Park venue in Mountain’s Edge, a master-planned community in southwest Las Vegas.

Even if you’re not signed up, come to the park early for registration beginning at 6:30 a.m., followed by opening ceremonies at 7:30 a.m. The 5K race begins at 8 a.m., and the 5K and 1-mile walk start at 8:15 a.m. Other activities and family fun — registration not required —continue until noon, all in support of the nonprofit Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation of Nevada. They include an inflatable obstacle course, bounce house, games, bone marrow drive hosted by Be The Match, 5K awards ceremony, food and refreshments, raffle prizes and 25th anniversary commemoration.

Many attendees will be dressed as superheroes honoring childhood cancer patients’ courage and this year’s Superhero Ambassadors. Dace, 5, is battling Leukemia and demonstrates strength as he faces daily chemotherapy. Keenan is this year’s Angel Superhero Ambassador. He was almost 8 years old when he passed away in 2007 from a rare form of liver cancer, and continues to be an inspiration to those who knew him.

Celebrating its 25th year, the event raises critically needed funds for the nonprofit Candlelighters organization which provides financial assistance, counseling and other programs to help patients and family members. It is sponsored by Centennial Toyota, Mountain’s Edge, 8 News Now, CBS Radio and Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Exploration Park is at 9600 South Buffalo Drive, just south of Blue Diamond Road. It offers a variety of amenities that attendees can also enjoy including picnic areas, playgrounds, water play area, walking trails, replicas of a Western town and Native American village, archaeology dig site and an outdoor amphitheater. Trails and walking paths allow visitors to venture 2,846 feet to the top of Exploration Peak for panoramic views of the entire valley.

Attendees are invited to stay and explore the 3,500-acre Mountain’s Edge community that celebrates the rich history and natural beauty of the area. Developed by Focus Property Group, it has consistently ranked among the country’s best-selling master plans by leading independent real estate advisory firms.

Mountain’s Edge offers a wealth of floor plans and single and multifamily subdivisions from top builders, including Century Communities, DR Horton, Lennar, Pulte Homes, and Richmond American Homes; parks, trails and open spaces; and public facilities and schools. A series of paseos wind through the community, connecting residents and their neighborhoods to recreation areas. These include the 20-acre Nathaniel Jones Park, adjacent Mountain’s Edge Regional Park and the 80-acre Exploration Park with its Western Theme Village.

Mountain’s Edge is at 9725 S. Buffalo Drive (corner of Buffalo Drive and Blue Diamond Road). For information, call 702-898-5777 or visit www.mountainsedge.com.