SUPERHEROES are set to battle through foam, inflatable obstacles and fly down 40 feet slides as they take part in one of the country’s coveted events which is coming to Colchester for the first time.

Kapow! will see hundreds of competitors dress up as their favourite superhero to tackle the 2.5km or 5km obstacle courses which will be set up in Castle Park.

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It’s all part of Kapow! which will aim to raise money for the Tom Bowdidge Youth Cancer Foundation, which has secured exclusive rights to the event between Chelmsford and Ipswich.

Nikki Bowdidge, the founder and chief executive of the foundation, said: “Colchester has never seen anything like this and we are thrilled to be bringing such an exciting and new event to our hometown.

“We are hoping to see hundreds of people dress up as their favourite superhero and put their powers to the ultimate test on the day.

“Colchester has some amazing events and we are proud to be a part of them.”

Competitors can team up to take on the course or they can decide to go it alone.

The foundation was set up in memory of the inspirational Tom Bowdidge who died from a desmoplastic small round cell tumour and extensive peritoneal disease in 2013 after more than a year battling the disease.

The 19-year-old’s parents and sister, Emma, formed the charity on what would have been Tom’s 20th birthday.

The event will take place on Sunday, September 2 - one day after the popular Invasion Colchester, which sees superheroes descend on the town to raise money for St Helena Hospice and Colchester Hospitals Charity.

Mrs Bowdidge said the new Sunday event would mean people could enjoy a whole weekend as their alter egos.

She added: “Colchester is lucky enough to host one of the most amazing superhero days in the whole of the UK and we know people would love the chance to carry on in their alter egos for the whole weekend.

“We really hope this will be an event to bring people from across the east of England to our town to have fun and raise as much money for charity as possible.”

Entrants don’t need to secure sponsorship money but their entry fee will towards either the Tom Bowdidge Youth Cancer Foundation or a charity of their choice.

Superheroes can sign up in a special early bird rate of £20 per adult or £12.50 for children aged under 16 - children taller than 1.2 metres can have a go at the course.

The entry fee will go towards the vital work the Tom Bowdidge Foundation carries out, from funding research to granting desperately-needed funds for young cancer patients and families.

To sign up, click here or email nikkibowdidge@tombowdidgefoundation.org.

Contestants can also call 07771 646654 to book their spot.