Bridgewater Middle, Krum's Comics to host Flash Dash 5k

HORIZON WEST If you ever wanted to be Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman or Catwoman for a day, your chance to dress like them and race to escape villains and evil geniuses for a good cause is here.

Bridgewater Middle School’s upcoming Flash Dash 5K is in its inaugural year, but the action-packed, comic book-themed race aims to draw the attention of superheroes and villains alike.

“The Flash Dash 5K is a fun run with a lot of character,” said Jennifer Benton, president of Bridgewater’s Parent-Teacher-Student Organization. “The villains have found out that we’re teaching the next generation of crimefighters so they’re trying to take over the course. We want people to dress up as their favorite superheroes or characters, have fun with their kids and get out and do something healthy.” 

All proceeds raised will benefit the school’s PTSO to aid in technology improvements and to accommodate the growing student body. The race winds throughout the Independence community in Horizon West, starting and finishing at the main clubhouse. And although it’ll be timed, it won’t be chipped for the sake of having fun.

But it’s not a typical 5K race. Superhero runners will have to be vigilant, because villains and evil geniuses are trying to sabotage the course. A group of volunteers will act as the villains, jumping out at runners with squirt guns, bubbles or even hula hoops to jump through.

Benton and PTSO members have reached out to cosplayers and other volunteers to attend, cheer on runners and act as villains or as superheroes. So far, Batman and Robin are on the guest list, and The Flash may be there, as well.

“On the course map, we’ll have one section where you can go two ways,” Benton said. “One way is marked with a sign that says, ‘Beware, villains were spotted here,’ and you can go that way if you want to have the obstacles and have fun and go that path. If you’re worried about your time, then you can take the other path. People will be hidden (on the villains path), so you never know who will pop out of somewhere.”

In addition to the thrills of defeating the evil geniuses and acting as superheroes, Krum’s World Comics and Collectibles in Winter Garden is sponsoring the event to make the theme even more special. The first 300 registrants will receive an exclusive Krum’s patch designed specifically for the race, and all participants receive a special Flash-themed medal.

Additionally, all participants get a coupon for three free comic books at Krum’s the next day, National Comic Book Day. Benton hopes to have between 300 and 500 runners sign up, with a fundraising goal of $5,000.

“We really want to try to raise a lot of money because (we’ll have about) 2,100 students next year, and there’s only so much the budget will allow for,” Benton said. “We want to fill in gaps with technology, anti-bullying programs, anywhere the school budget needs filled. Next year with the student growth we’re going to start going all-digital, and there’s some security we want to contribute to. We want to buy all the kids a lanyard so their ID is always visible, and we want to color code the lanyards by grade.”

At the end of the race, the superheroes can celebrate their victory with food trucks and a raffle. Prizes include a family four pack to the Orlando Eye, SEA LIFE Aquarium and Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum, as well as admission for various summer camps.

“I’m really looking forward to the kids having fun with their parents going through it, seeing the teachers encouraging their students to run and the interaction with the cosplayers,” Benton said. “We like to call it ‘educainment’ — educating them on being healthier while being entertained along the way.”

Contact Danielle Hendrix at [email protected].