If you have a soft stomach, I suggest you leave—now. If not, I have news that may be beneficial to your health. For a while, I’ve followed an event so scary, so shocking, and so exciting; I couldn’t let it go much longer without including it in my Monday Mayhem series.
Some of you already know what I’m talking about based on the title for this post. Some of you have participated in the event and loved it. Some—have screamed in horror. What is it?
I’m talking about the annual Zombie Run. This year it kicked off for the first time in Philadelphia, PA. It will tour sixteen cities and promises to scare the crap out of anyone within the city limits. Okay, so maybe I’m using lots of hyperbole, but y’all get what I’m saying, right?
How does it work?
Actors dressed as zombies chase participants in a 5K (3.1 mile) run or sorts. The entire course will feature thematic elements of a zombie apocalypse (helicopters, flipped cars, fog machines, etc.). Boyhood buddies and race organizers Andrew Hudis and David Feinman came up with the idea when Hudis told Feinman he runs fastest when being chased. From there the idea took off (pun intended). Participants have a balloon pinned to their back and the object of the run is for the zombies to break the balloon.
Make no mistake. There will be running. There will be screaming. It’s a 5K haunted house run with onsite makeup artists. How cool is that? Once it’s over, it’s not over. The after party ensues to celebrate the event’s success.
The best part: proceeds will go to Active Heroes, a charity that aids veterans, active duty military, and families. A portion will also go to host city local charities. This is a fun and exciting way to give back to those who fight for freedom, and to the local community.
Here is a list of confirmed host cities participating in this year’s event:
- Philadelphia Zombie Run – Sunday, April 7, 2013 at FDR Park. Start time is 8:00 AM.
- Louisville Zombie Run – Sunday, April 21, 2013 at Iroquois Park. Start time is 12:30 PM.
- Charlotte Zombie Run – Sunday, May 19, 2013 at Freedom Park. Start time is 12:30 PM.
- Atlanta Zombie Run – Saturday, June 8th, 2013 at the Atlanta Motor Speedway. Start time is 10:00 AM.
- New Orleans Zombie Run – Sunday, June 23, 2013 at New Orleans City Park. Start time is 9:00 AM.
- St. Louis Zombie Run – Sunday, July 14, 2013 at Queeny Park. Start time is 11:00 AM.
- Denver Zombie Run – Sunday, July 28, 2013 at City Park. Start time is 9:00 AM.
- Seattle Zombie Run – Saturday, August 17, 2013 at Magnuson Park. Start time is 11:00 AM.
- Indianapolis Zombie Run – Sunday, October 6th, 2013 at White River State Park. Start time is 11:00 AM.
- Miami Zombie Run – Saturday, October 12, 2013 at Historic Virginia Key Beach Park. Start time is 6:00 PM.
- Nashville Zombie Run – Sunday, September 29th, 2013 at Shelby Bottoms Park. Start time is 7:30 AM.
If you can’t make it to any one of these events, there are plenty others taking place throughout the world: Run For Your Lives, Zombie Escape, The Zombie Mud Run, and Zombie Run UK.
Thank you Stevie Gill for granting JackFlacco.com the use of your Zombie Run UK photography for this post.
Are you planning to participate in this year’s zombie runs? What do you find most exciting about the event?
Looking to God 
Wow, I loved how their special effects makeup came out. I would love to go to one of these events. Even to just watch it. It sounds like a blast! 🙂
I’m. So. There. Indianapolis, that is!
It sounds like fun. But this chick right here couldn’t run to the corner. LOL. Plus after two major foot surgeries last year, I can barely even walk. If I could, I would participate. It looks like SO much fun. I would get a kick out of running from zombies. Great piece Jack!!!!
I just reblogged that, amazing concept ! I knew about zombie walks (we have some in France), but zombie runs sound funnier 🙂
A reblogué ceci sur Jolly Slasher – Quelle horreur ! and commented:
Un petit repost sur la Zombie run, concept qui existe en Angleterre et maintenant aux US. Le principe ? Une course géante entre zombies et survivants dans les rues de la ville… Vous connaissiez la zombie walk, eh bien voici une idée encore plus fun. À quand en France ?
Hey, you just got Tagged, check it out here: http://crazygoblin.wordpress.com/2013/04/09/i-just-got-tagged/
Very cool post Jack. Quality blogging right there. 5stars
Thank you for the compliment, Brandon. I am left without words!
Reblogged this on •Rants •Rhymes •Reviews and commented:
Run like hell. #Zombies
Thanks for reblogging! Made my night!
Reblogged this on Mark Absher.
Thanks for reblogging my post, Mark. I appreciate it!
My Pleasure!
This sounds awesome! 😀
Definitely one way to be motivated during a run! When will they do the zombie marathon? It would be great if the zombies appeared around mile 20, giving everyone the motivation to finish the race, or maybe runners would just give up and decide it’s better to be undead than to outrun a zombie at that point?
Sounds awesome fun. Excellent preparation for the zombie apocalypse and it raises money for a good cause. Glad to see my photos put to good use!
I did the Run For Your Lives 5k when it first came out like 2 years ago(?). In fact I had a chance to be a zombie in their commercial that aired during the Walking Dead premiere. Of course in a hoarde i didnt get to see myself as the commercial was super short, but it was still fun. I ran the course as a survivor and made it with 2 flags left. I’ll admit, it is a heart pumping experience when you are being chased! Too bad they wont come near baltimore or richmond 😦 Philly is a bit of a hike…
What a worthy cause. I’m sharing this on twitter just in case my followers want to be chased. Whaaaaaa!
Reblogged this on DistortedEight.
Thanks so much for the reblog, Liz!
No problem! The Zombie Run is awesome!
Are you going to dress up as a zombie then? 😉
We’ll see how it goes. I can picture myself as the Lone Ranger with a bullet between the eyes! 😉
Zombie run!!! Thank you for adding another item to my “Things to do before I die list!”!!! 😉
Thanks for the awesome mention on your blog!
It is a fantastic idea 😀
And must be a lot of fun too!
DUDE! the first time i saw the promo for this i almost (bleep) my pants!! how freakin awesome is this? almost awesome enough for me to say “the hell with asthma and a bad knee, i’m runnin!!”
Reblogged this on Grizz-Tion and commented:
In case some of you in these areas haven’t seen and would like to join
Thank you so much for the reblog!
Sounds like awesome fun but they don’t hold any near where I am I think. I never knew they did things like this.
Its funny because as I was looking up workout challenges, it had one about zombie apocalypse training..hehehe..it involves A LOT of cardio. Maybe I’ll join in in my own little way 😉
I’ll share this and spread the word 🙂
Hi Jack. I was a zombie along with my two grandsons at this run. It was a blast. My article and pictures should be on Biff Bam Pop! sometime this week. I’ll let you know when it’s up.
I’ll keep an eye out for it. And wow, you were an actor? I don’t know what is more fun: chasing a fleeing participant or being chased by a zombie! Jury’s still out on that one 🙂
I’ve been looking into different events like this as of late. I might have to participate. Do you plan on doing it?
We have The Zombie Race (http://thezombierace.ca/) here in Canada, but I have yet to hear news on this year’s date and location. I think I might actually participate this year. Looking forward to it!
Thanks for the mention on your blog! I really appreciate it 🙂
This sounds like a ton of fun. How fast can a zombie run before its legs fall off? I hope I can run faster!