RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - The third annual Leo’s Amazing Race takes off on September 30 with a twist. It is the year of the superhero! You’ve seen them on the big and small screens, in the news, and in the pages of comic books. They are as American as, well, the Sacramento Children’s Museum and Rancho Cordova.

This family-friendly, business-friendly event is open to teams of four. One adult over eighteen and one child under eighteen must be on each team, said Meghan Toland, Director of Museum Advancement for Sacramento Children’s Museum. For families of five with a child under five years, there is a special deal, she said, for the “tiny team member.”

Who can’t name a superhero with so many to choose from? There are Superman, Spiderman, Ironman, The Incredible Hulk, Wonder Woman, The Incredibles, Supergirl, Ant-Man, Black Panther, Catwoman, Captain America, Fantastic Four, Daredevil, Elektra, Green Lantern, Hawkeye, Aquaman, Iron-Fist, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Doctor Strange, Wolverine, and there is Batman. Last on the list doesn’t mean he’s last on the list for Leo, who Toland describes as a “happy, friendly, green guy.” The winning team will ride in a licensed replica of the 1966 Batmobile, just like the one used in the television show that aired from 1966 through 1968 and introduced Batgirl to television audiences.

Teams will compete in challenges in businesses around Rancho Cordova in a sort of home-town, family-oriented version of the television show, but with a Sacramento Children’s Museum twist. Teams will begin challenges at Sacramento Children’s Museum at 2 p.m. before venturing outside. KP International Market and Whimsy Face Painting and Body Art are again part of the race. Code Ninjas and MOD Pizza are new businesses and new to the race. Other businesses on the schedule are Comics and Collectibles and Amazing Athletes of Northern Sacramento. “It’s a really fun way to see people engaging in their business and for us to connect with businesses in the community,” said Toland when asked about the business participation.

Get ready for some fun. Past challenges have included food eating, balloon twisting, hula hooping, Leo hockey, dancing, and tricycle racing. What challenges are in store this year? Toland was tight-lipped about most challenges but said that coding and food tasting were confirmed. To find out, you’ll need to register your team with a superhero team name you make up, dress up in your best superhero costumes, and show up ready for whatever curves Leo and company toss your way.

Toland said that the registration fee helps support museum programs and exhibits and gets each participant a post-race barbecue meal and play time at the museum until closing. She’s expecting 25 or more teams and said that this is a “really fun event for us and our visitors, and participants have a really great time.”

Since its debut in 2015 when heavy rain kept many people from participating, the race has grown and Toland expects growth to continue. Prizes differ each year. To encourage costumes and team names, prizes will be awarded to teams for best team name and best costume. In past years, costumes have included the Big Bad Wolf and the Three Pigs, superheroes, and Leos in all sizes. Teams must have completed all challenges and be back at the museum by 4 p.m. in order to qualify for prizes, including that ride in the 1966 Batmobile replica.

“We love superheroes, our visitors love superheroes, and Leo looks good in a cape,” said Toland who also does a good job with a hula hoop. For additional information, visit www.sackids.org/leos-amazing-race. If you go: Sunday, September 30, 2-4 p.m. 2701 Prospect Park, Rancho Cordova.