Zombie races scare up fun for a good cause
I've heard a quip from nonrunners that goes like this: “I don't run and if you ever see me running, you better run too because something is probably chasing me.”
If you've been thinking of getting off your tush and running a 5K, why not have some zombies around to add a little more motivation?
A couple upcoming local races have embraced the zombie theme — The Dead Last 5K Run/Walk Saturday, Oct. 18, in Grayslake and the Zombie 5K and 1-mile Fun Walk Saturday, Oct. 25, in Elgin. And both events are unleashing the undead for good causes.
The Dead Last 5K Run/Walk will step off Saturday, Oct. 18, on the College of Lake County campus, 19351 Washington St., Grayslake, and benefits The Oasis youth center. This is the second year for the event.
“Last year we had a great turnout,” said Greg Henkin, board member of the Oasis. About 150 runners participated in last year's 5K. Not only is a great fundraiser for the youth center, but it allows the teens to be directly involved, he added.
“We're raising money to keep our doors open,” Henkin said. “And, a lot of the teens are volunteering their time to be zombies.”
A 1-mile Fun Run/Walk starts at 2 p.m. in which participants “get to experience the beginning of the zombie apocalypse.” Zombies will be in plain view along the untimed Fun Run route, but they will be “as happy as a zombie can possibly get.” All ages and strollers are more than welcome to participate in the Fun Run. All participants will receive a race ribbon.
The 5K starts at 3 p.m. and promises you can “race for your life in the midst of mind-boggling, brain-eating zombies.” Runners in the 5K will line up first and start the race. Walkers are welcome to come in “dead last.” They will walk the course following the runners.
The object of the race is to win — both by your speed and by getting to the finish line alive, organizers say. Zombies will be present throughout the racecourse and runners will sport flag belts with two flags per runner at the start of the race. Zombies will attempt to remove the runners' flags — thus taking their “life.” Runners can find extra life flags along the course route. The trick will be to dodge the zombies that might just be killing time near those life flags.
The event will be officially timed by Race Time Inc. Runners can win by speed alone, but the biggest prize goes to the fastest runners coming out “alive,” with at least one life flag left. Getting past those zombies isn't all that easy, Henkin said. Last year only about 25 percent of the runners made it through the course and stayed alive.
Zombies will be assigned to specific zones along the race route and will not run the racecourse. The zombies can stumble, stagger or chase after runners and try to remove their life flags. No other contact between runners and zombies is allowed.
Cost for the Fun Run/Walk is $15 per participant. Cost for the 5K registration is $35 through Wednesday, Oct. 15: and $40 after Oct. 15 through day of race. Pre-race packet pickup and registration will be held from 3-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17 at The Oasis, 151 Hawley St., Grayslake. Registration on race day will open at noon at the College of Lake County — Parking Lot C.
All proceeds from the Dead Last 5K go to The Oasis, Inc to support its work with the youth of Grayslake. For more information about the event, visit www.deadlast5k.com.
In downtown Elgin, the Zombie 5K and 1-mile Fun Walk will start at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 25. All proceeds from the race benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Elgin. This is the first time for this race, but organizers hope to make it an annual event, said Kari Christensen, director of development for the Boys and Girls Club of Elgin.
“The race is mainly along the River Walk, part of it is on Walton Island,” Christensen said. “It's a family-oriented event. We'll have fun zombie zones.”
Runners are encouraged to dress like zombies, she said. There will be a zombie costume contest before the race and a living-dead DJ at the start/finish line of the race. A post-race party will be held at Danny's on Douglas and racers will receive a free beverage at Danny's on Douglas. Awards for the winners of the costume contest and race categories will be presented at the post-race party.
Cost for the 5K Run is $35 for registering by 10 p.m. Oct. 23; $45 if registering after that date or on race day. A special price for the 5K Run for students 18 year or younger is $15 for registering by Oct. 23; $20 if registering later or on race day. Cost for the 1-Mile Fun Walk is $12. All race participants will receive a shirt whether participating in the 5K run or 1-mile fun walk.
Packet pickup and race day registration is at 7:30 a.m. near start/finish area (at Grove and Kimball streets in downtown Elgin). Registration for this event is limited to 1,000. To register, visit www.signmeup.com/site/online-event-registration/102161. For information on the Boys and Girls Club of Elgin, visit www.bgcelgin.org or follow them on Facebook.
The Zombie 5K is part of a destination weekend for Elgin as Oct. 25 is also the same day as Nightmare on Chicago Street, Christensen said. The zombie event is in the morning and Nightmare on Chicago Street in the evening.
If you go
<b>What:</b> The Dead Last 5K Run/Walk
<b>When:</b> Saturday, Oct. 18
<b>Where:</b> College of Lake County campus, 19351 Washington St., Grayslake
<b>Cost:</b> $15 for walk, $35/$40 for 5K
<b>Cause:</b> Benefits The Oasis, Inc.
<b>Info:</b> www.deadlast5k.com
<b>What:</b> Zombie 5K and 1-mile Fun Walk
<b>When:</b> Saturday, Oct. 25
<b>Where:</b> Grove and Kimball streets in downtown Elgin
<b>Cost: </b>$12 for walk, $15/$20 for students in 5K, $35/$45 adults in 5K
<b>Cause:</b> Benefits the Boys and Girls Club of Elgin
<b>Info:</b> www.bgcelgin.org