By
Jared Curtis
 |
| Runners
will be chased down by zombies at Run of
the Living Dead, which takes place at Sleepy
Hollow Scream Park on Thursday, Oct. 20.
For find out more information or to register,
visit http://www.sleepyhollowscreampark.com. |
New race forces runners to beat
zombies instead of each other
Have you ever wondered what it would be like
to be chased by zombies? Well, now’s your chance
to get your own “28 Days Later”-type experience
with Sleepy Hollow’s first annual Run of the
Living Dead.
“I had heard about this type of race before
and thought it would be a great idea,” said
Max Kenkel, general manager of Sleepy Hollow
Sports Park. “We have the space for it, so we
came up with a unique race that people are really
going to enjoy. Plus, it made for a great partnership
with Zombie Burger.”
With the success of the recent Aspen Warrior
Run, Kenkel knew they needed to create another
fun race.
“Being a first year event, we’re not sure how
many people will sign up, but we had a great
turnout for the Warrior Run, so we’re hoping
for more than 200 racers,” Kenkel said. “Hopefully
we’ll get a lot of good feedback and make it
bigger and better in the future.”
The 5K race takes place on Thursday, Oct. 20,
at 6 p.m. The entry fee is $40 ($35 for students
and $30 for kids 12 and under), which includes
the race and a Pick 3 Wristband for the Scream
Park. Participants will receive a belt with
flags attached similar to flag football. When
the race starts, numerous zombies will appear
throughout the course, chasing runners down
and taking their flags. The winner will be the
first person to the finish with all of his or
her flags.
“There is no time limit, because if you were
really being chased zombies, you’re not going
to slow down and look at a stopwatch,” Kenkel
laughs. “Plus, it takes some strategy. If you
get out to a huge lead ahead of everyone, you’re
probably going to get attacked and lose. I think
runners will be better off sticking to a pack
and then let the other people get attacked while
you run away.”
The course will be simple with no real obstacles,
other than hungry, flesh-eating zombies looking
for brains.
“It’s an easy, flat course, and it’s going
to be a lot of fun for runners of all skill
levels. I’m sure we’ll have some serious runners
participating as well as zombie fans looking
for some fun. Everyone will have an equal chance
to win,” Kenkel said. “We’ll probably have 40
or 50 zombies on the course, and they’ll be
spread all over. Some will be slow, while others
will be running full speed. So, other than some
crazy zombies trying to eat your brains, it’s
going to be a pretty easy race.”
If enough people enter, the winner of the race
will receive $250. Interested participants can
register at http://www.shspdm.com/rotld.html.
Registration will end on Wednesday, Oct. 19.
“More and more people are signing up every day,”
Kenkel said. “We’ll also have a one-mile kids’
run following the race.”
There will also be numerous prizes awarded for
Best Sexy Costume and Best Overall Costume,
as well as Best Kids’ Costume. All participants
are encouraged to dress up.
“We really want people to dress up and have
fun with this race,” Kenkel said. “And we encourage
teams and groups to register, too.”
Kenkel thinks the Run of the Living Dead is
the perfect event for both runners and zombie
fans alike.
“It’s the perfect fun run, and even though it
might seem creepy, it won’t scare you to death,”
he said. “Plus, it’s the perfect training for
the impending zombie apocalypse.” CV |
