By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
With their capes and super powers, children are being invited to save the world – or at least a few acres in Bowling Green.
The annual Super Dash is planned for May 4, at 2 p.m., on the obstacle course behind the Bowling Green Community Center, at 1245 W. Newton Road.
The event takes place one week after the “Avengers 4” movie hits theaters.
“So the kids are all going to be in superhero mode,” said Ivan Kovacevic, recreation coordinator with the Bowling Green Parks and Recreation Department. “They will be entering the comic book world of make-believe.”
Children are invited to come dressed as Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman, Spiderman, Flash – or whatever they wish.
“Some kids create their own original superhero,” Kovacevic said. “It’s almost like a Halloween in May.”
Their powers will be tested by the obstacle course, which is a little more than a mile and has about 18 natural and man-made challenges along the route.
There will be tires to jump through, pyramids to climb, tunnels to crawl through, climbing walls to scale, balance beams to cross, hurdles to jump and cargo nets to traverse. Best of all – at least for the kids – there will also be three mud trenches.
“There’s something about jumping around in the mud that is fun for everyone,” Kovacevic said.
“The kids totally get into it. It’s fun to watch.”
For parents who want to avoid mud in their Batmobiles on the way home, there will be wash stations and a hose behind the community center to clean off muddy superheroes.
The costumed kids will follow a storyline as they climb, tunnel and jump through the course. They will have to earn “galaxy rings” along the way in order to stop the villains, Kovacevic said.
“Basically, they are saving the world,” he said.
Adults are allowed to dress up as superheroes to be the super sidekicks of their children along the obstacle course. If the adults are not sure of superhero identities, all they need to do is check out the movies.
“Every month there’s a new superhero movie coming out,” Kovacevic said.
The annual Super Dash will also feature a Hero Festival, featuring local hometown heroes – like police officers, firefighters, military members and BGSU athletes. The kids will be able to compete in contests such as the “Flash Dash” and the “Hulk Throw.”
This year, the Super Dash event is partnering with Wood County Children’s Services foster parent recruitment program.
“Every county is desperately in need of foster parents,” Kovacevic said. “Foster parents and adoptive parents are heroes in these kids’ lives.”
Last year’s race had 120 participants. “We’re hoping for continued growth this year,” he said.
Children ages 3 through 14 can sign up online at www.bgohio.org/parks, or in person at the community center or Simpson Building, 1291 Conneaut Ave. The cost is $16 for city residents and $19 for non-residents if registered by April 12. After that, the cost is $26 for residents and $29 for non-residents.
