Superhero capes were blowing the breeze last weekend when a mass of caped crusaders raced around the streets of Lakewood.

Over 200 runners, walkers and rollers (participants in wheelchairs and hand cycles) and volunteers helped raise funds for children with physical disabilities in the Youth Challenge Superhero Dash.  The 33rd Annual Race Day took place on Saturday, September 22, at Lakewood Park. The event was dedicated in memory of Dave Hardman, former President of the Youth Challenge Board of Trustees.

Runners along with Youth Challenge families and friends—many dressed as Superheroes—ran, walked, or rolled in the 5K and 1 Mile Walk/Roll.  Over $17,000 was raised to support the free programs Youth Challenge offers to hundreds of young people in Northeast Ohio.

Longtime supporters Linda and Doug Hardman were major sponsors of the Superhero Dash, along with new sponsor Invacare/Top End.  A group from Invacare brought products from their Top End Wheelchair brand for the YC kids to try out.  Invacare also provided Superhero capes and masks, a crew to diagnose and fix wheelchairs, and a photographer and backdrop to capture all of the fun.

Overall, Invacare/Top End donated about $10,000 worth of equipment at the event.  Jonathan Miller, Senior Director, Custom Manual & Seating, at Invacare Corporation presented a Top End XLT Handcycle to Alex Martinez, the winner in the handcycle division of the race. Then he surprised the crowd with a donation to Youth Challenge of three more handcycles (watch video here.)

“Race Day is a fun event for the community, our participants and volunteers and their families,” said Ken Kasler, Youth Challenge Chief of Operations & Program Oversight.  “We’re very thankful to all of our sponsors and supporters of the Superhero Dash.”

Volunteer groups from Gallagher Benefit Services, Cleveland Jesuit Volunteer Corps, and YP4YC (the Youth Challenge Young Professional group) and other community volunteers pitched in to help make Race Day #33 a great success.

Click here to see photos of the Superhero Dash.

Click here to see race results.

Links to other articles

https://www.cleveland.com/sunpostherald/index.ssf/2018/09/post_110.html

https://lakewoodobserver.com/read/2018/09/04/run-with-the-superheroes-at-lakewood-park