Candlelighters is a Las Vegas-based non-profit that helps supports families and kids diagnosed with cancer. The Superhero 5k is one of their main fundraisers for the year. It’s one of the most fun races I’ve been to so far, and I would absolutely run it again.
Joining this race was an easy decision, as it was super close to home, starting and ending at Exploration Peak Park. Instead of a t-shirt, you get a cape in your running packet. If you’re a t-shirt fan, Candlelighters offers them for sale.
Pre-Race Logistics
Packet Pickup was at Candlelighters HQ, and went super quickly. The pickup bag included the cape, some sunglasses, and a few other little goodies.
Pro tip: Instead of tying the cape around your neck, consider pinning it to the collar of your shirt. No fiddling with ties, no chocking feeling!
Because parking at Exploration Peak Park is limited and the race drew in a massive crowd, Candlelighters leveraged 3 different school parking lots to manage traffic. Each school had a shuttle, and they were all very close to the starting line, meaning walking would be an option.
I arrived at Wright Elementary at 7:45 for an 8 AM race start. As I parked, a shuttle was just loading. It was full and pulled away before I was fully ready. With a round-trip time of about 15 minutes, I missed the official start.
Gunderson Elementary offers two shuttles, so try to stage there. Also, add more time for transportation and logistics than you think you need.
Race Start
As mentioned, I missed the official start. Fortunately, the race is chip timed, so it doesn’t really matter.
There were a bunch of folks cheering you on at the start, and UNLV cheerleaders a few hundred feet after the start. That set the tone for the feel of the race.
This race is one of the absolute best for community involvement. The cheerleaders were just the start. A lot of other school groups were out there, along with families of Candlelighters beneficiaries, drumlines, and more.
Best of all, I ran into a good friend and her dog! While I was originally going to go for time, that went out the window with a cute puppy.
The Candlelighters Superhero 5k Race
The course was good. While it didn’t get into Exploration Peak Park itself, it had a lot of greenery. I’d recommend this route as a regular 5k on a normal day!
From Exploration Peak Park, the route went south on Buffalo to Mountain’s Edge Parkway. While we ran in the street, on a regular day, use the paths in Mountain’s Edge Regional park to avoid any traffic. After a short stint north on Durango, take the LeBaron Paseo Trail east back to Buffalo.
Post-Race
Immediate post-race recovery was sparse. The obligatory bananas were present, but not much for electrolyte replacement.
The full event included easily 2 dozen vendors, mostly local businesses and non-profits, but also Channel 5 News.
On top of that, there were photo ops, inflatable play areas, and live performers. Families had picnics in the park, costumed superheroes posed with kids, and a good time was had by all.
Candlelighters Superhero 5K: A Community Staple
This was a great race. It’s convenient, flat, and relatively green. The organization really brings out the community, including schools and businesses. The swag is good, the post-race event is fun. The Candlelighters Superhero 5k is one of the top charity 5ks in Las Vegas!
