Zombies Liven Up 5K Races - The UltimateFatBurner Blog

Zombies Liven Up 5K Races

Back when we lived in Ohio, I occasionally ran laps with some recreational marathoners. It was totally random… The local Parks and Rec dept. had an indoor track that I used during snowy/rainy/cold weather. The marathoners used it too, so when we encountered each other on the track, I would fall in with them to chat for a couple of miles or so.

One of the guys, Chris, also belonged to a group that put on a 5K run every Fall. Naturally, he invited me to join in… but I never did. It wasn’t the distance (I routinely ran 10K – 12K 3 times/week), rather, it was the distraction of a large group that put me off. I don’t like crowds, and usually avoid events that draw them – unless the event is appealing enough to overcome my reluctance.

And the prospect of a plain vanilla 5k run just wasn’t appealing enough. Too ordinary. However, if Chris’ group had thought of this gimmick, I might have changed my mind…

BUTCHERTOWN, Ky., April 8 (UPI) — About 700 people ran “for dear life” in the 5K Zombie Survival Run in Kentucky, organizers said.

On Saturday, runners had to evade about 100 actors dressed as zombies as they made their way through Cherokee Park to benefit the Alley Theater in Butchertown, The (Louisville, Ky.) Courier-Journal reported.

Runners wore belts with three red flags; whenever a zombie took a flag, it represented a wound. The goal was to make it to the finish line with at least one flag.

Zombies were stationed throughout the course, with a horde close to the end.

Jessica Easterling said she almost made it to the finish with all her flags, but they were captured in the end.

“The zombies were fast,” said Easterling, 29, of New Albany, Ind. “I didn’t think they’d be that fast. They’re not that fast in the movies.”

…Dixie Crompton, 28, who played a zombie during the run, said it was hard work.

“You’re starting and stopping a lot,” Crompton said of the experience. “People see you coming and they start running for dear life.”

Hee-hee – sounds like an interesting way to do intervals! If there’s ever a race like this around NE WA, I’m soooo gonna sign up. 😉

Author: elissa

Elissa is a former research associate with the University of California at Davis, and the author/co-author of over a dozen articles published in scientific journals. Currently a freelance writer and researcher, Elissa brings her multidisciplinary education and training to her writing on nutrition and supplements.

3 Comments

  1. That sure sounds interesting and fun. Looks like it would be a good workout for the runners and the Zombies. If you find a race like this nearby, be sure to let us know if you “survive”.

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  2. Actually, I think it would be a hoot (and nearly as much exercise) to be one of the zombies.

    As a zombie, I could count on getting “expert” advice from the Girl Child on my costume and accessories. She’s into cosplay, and recently assembled a rather impressive “steampunk zombie” costume for Radcon (the Tri-Cities fantasy/sci-fi/gamer con in Pasco).

    This is my lovely little daughter, lol: http://www.kvewtv.com/article/2012/feb/17/radcon-event-pasco/

    We’re close to the same size, so I could borrow some of her stuff, I’m sure… 😉

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  3. Boy now that sounds like plan! Make sure you get pictures in her/your zombie costume.

    I think being a zombie would be short, fast sprints. That sounds like a good workout to me.

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