But occasionally, another type of themed race takes place where everything revolves around a central concept: celebrating spring with the Holi Run, obstacle races, neon light runs, Pizza Runs, costume races... And as you might expect, we also have zombie races.
This comes as no surprise, as zombies have a long tradition appearing in ancient legends, literature, films, television, comics and video games. There's an entire history, characterisation, behavioural rules and even survival guidelines for zombie invasions, suggesting it's more than just a passing trend.
But what exactly do these races involve? Here's some more information:
How long is the course?
It's a 5 km race where participants playing humans must overcome various obstacles.
Is the route straightforward?
The 5 km course involves running through fields and overcoming various natural and artificial obstacles - crawling on the ground, climbing, jumping... but above all running if you don't want the zombies to take all your lives!
Stay alert, as the path is completely infested with zombies... Terrifyingly fun!
Which side would you choose?
You can participate in either faction:
- Human. If choosing to play a healthy person, you must run the course to reach the finish line. Crucially, you should try to reach the endpoint with at least one life remaining. Lives are coloured scarves worn on your belt that zombies will try to snatch to eliminate runners.
- Zombie. Ideally you should arrive already made up, but for those preferring this faction, there's a team of makeup artists to transform you into the undead. Zombies are organised into groups (hordes) to chase runners and steal their lives.
Who wins the runners VS zombies race?
The winning human is whoever reaches the finish first with at least one life, while the winning zombie group collects the most lives. Additionally, prizes often go to zombies who best embody their role: movements, sounds, characterisation...
How to prepare for the race?
If you'd like to join one of these races, the most important thing is to come with a positive attitude ready for fun. Even if you're competitive, don't be a sore loser or get upset if eliminated... the point is to play and enjoy yourself!
Tips:
- Go for some practice runs beforehand, especially to build some stamina if you don't want to exhaust yourself during the race.
- If participating as a zombie, watch some recent zombie films to fully embody the character: their movements, clothing, sounds, communication...
- Don't forget to bring water.
- Wear comfortable clothes and well-fitting trainers that won't cause blisters or discomfort, ensuring you can complete the race in good condition.
- Remember to warm up before and stretch after the race to prevent injuries and muscle strain.
