Superhero 5K cancer fundraiser at Mountain’s Edge

A chance meeting between a local baseball executive and pediatric cancer patient 25 years ago set in motion the biggest local fundraiser for children with cancer and their families and the Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation of Nevada.

The 25th Anniversary Superhero 5K with Chet Buchanan on Sept. 12 will commemorate the quarter-century milestone, with the race, 1-mile walk and companion activities at Exploration Park at the Mountain's Edge, 9600 South Buffalo Drive, south of Blue Diamond Road.

The event has grown from 75 people raising $1,000 in 1990 to more than 2,000 people raising more than $170,000. It also now includes costumes; kids activities with an inflatable obstacle course, bounce house and games; bone marrow drive hosted by Be The Match; 5K awards ceremony; food and refreshments; raffle prizes; and 25th anniversary commemoration. Well-behaved, leashed pets are welcome and invited to dress as superheroes, too.

The race is still dear to founder Mark Grenier, who has remained its chairman and biggest cheerleader and recruiter. Now an executive with CBS Radio, he invites participation by forming a team, running the 5K or strolling during the 1-mile walk, making a costume, or coming out to support family, friends and those making a difference in lives of children and families living with cancer.

The seed for the race was planted in 1984 when Grenier's father passed away at 51 from prostate cancer, and he and his siblings agreed to do something for cancer to commemorate their dad.

A few years later, he met 9-year-old Jared, who was recovering from brain surgery caused by cancer, when Grenier worked for the Las Vegas Stars (now 51s) and brought players and the team mascot to Jared's baseball game. They remained close until Jared passed away a year later. Grenier had been running marathons and subsequently organized the benefit run to support Candlelighters that had helped Jared and his family and honor his father.

The nonprofit Candlelighters organization is still supporting many kids with cancer and their families. It raises critically needed funds for financial assistance for medical and prescription co-pays, mortgage/rent, utilities, local transportation and travel for treatment, scholarships and funerals; counseling; and other programs to lift the spirits of patients and family members.

The public can still get involved. For advance registration and related dates, information and ways to help, visit www.candlelightersnv.org or call 702-737-1919. Event day registration begins at 6:30 a.m.; the 5K race, 8 a.m.; and the 5K and 1-mile walks, 8:15 a.m. Festivities continue until noon.

Superhero capes are being sold for $5 while supplies last at the Candlelighters office, 8990 Spanish Ridge Ave., Ste. 100.

After the event, guests are invited to stay and enjoy the 80-acre Exploration Park with its Western Theme Village, water play area, picnic areas, amphitheater, playgrounds and the 2,846-foot-tall Exploration Peak.

The 25th Anniversary Superhero 5K with Chet Buchanan is sponsored by Centennial Toyota, Mountain's Edge Master Planned Community, 8 News Now, CBS Radio and Las Vegas Review-Journal.