Get ready to run for your life… from zombies, as the annual Zombie Run registration opens.
The five kilometre run returns to Cochrane this July, with registration now open. According to the Zombie Survivor Facebook page, early bird pricing is now 25 per cent off to register before April 3, with the early bird code “Zombie.”
“We are excited this year because we like what we do and we have more time to plan this year. More time to plan means more fun we can make – we want to make a festival of fun,” said event organizer Elizabeth Lewis.
The run consists of 12 obstacles throughout the course, from mud pits, to “blood pits,” to crawls, walls and team obstacles. Runners are competing for best time, and also have to avoid being attacked by the zombie hordes while keeping the three “live” flags (attached to their belt) safe. This year organizers are also adding an extra day of fun and activities with hero survivor on the second day. There will still be zombies but the second race will also add heroes and villains to the mix.
“We are developing a survivor series and heroes and villains adventure series,” Lewis said, hinting that there could be possible expansion in the future.
“We listened to the feedback… a lot of people showed up last year with superhero logos on their underwear,” Lewis said with a laugh.
While the website warns runners that zombies in the race come in all speeds, “most zombies move and react slowly, be weary of quicker enraged zombies on the course – be ready to sprint as they may chase you for short distances.” Organizers said the race is open for all types of runners.
“We have people who come that walk and we have people who want to have fun and do things that are active – this is good event for everyone,” Lewis said.
Organizers also added a new twist to the game, hiding potential zombie “cures” along the course. Organizers warn runners to “expect to get wet, muddy, and ‘bloody,’ bringing a change of clothes after the race is advised.”
The event hosts several different “waves” with up to 250 people in each wave running, and approximately 200 zombies on the course. Fighting with the zombies is prohibited but registering for teams is strongly encouraged.
Spectators are also welcome to “base camp” both days as there will be a variety of other activities on the grounds including food and drink, air soft, and an opportunity to support charities such as Can Praxis an equine therapy for soldiers suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
“Even if people aren’t interested in zombies, they can still come out and support their local businesses and charities,” Lewis said. The town will be infested with zombies and runners on July 23 from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. and July 24 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Cochrane & District Agricultural Society grounds, on the northwest corner of Highway 1A and Highway 22.
Pricing according to the Zombie Survivor website is: runner, $80; zombie, $40.
For any questions or concerns with the registration or ticket process, contact Zombie Survivor at 403-907-0444 for help. For race inquires, email [email protected] or, for more information, go to zombiesurvivor.ca
