Thrill Run
CLAY TWP — Runners are warned to watch out for the weather, traffic on busy roadways and aggressive dogs.
But, in Butler County, they really need to watch out for zombies.
About 15 miles north of the home of the film “Night of the Living Dead,” otherwise known as Evans City, runners will have the opportunity this fall to really be on the lookout for zombies.
The Run for Your Lives 5K is coming to the Switchback Raceway on Route 8 in Muddy Flats on Sept. 1.
Derrick Smith and Ryan Hogan, both of Baltimore, are partners in the new adventure race that started last year in Maryland.
“We wanted to have a mud run and came up with the name, 'Run for Your Lives,' but then we had to wonder what we were running from,” Smith said.
With the popularity of zombie stories, such as the television show “The Walking Dead,” continuing to grow, Smith and Hogan decided on zombies.
Their very first race, held last September north of Baltimore, attracted 12,000 people.
The Switchback Raceway event is one of 12 the partners are holding this year across the U.S. and Canada.
Smith said they picked the Switchback course because it has a big enough area for an “Undead Zone,” where the race takes place.
“We also want it out in the country, so runners get that feeling of isolation and not knowing what might be around the next corner,” Smith said.
The way the race works is this, Smith explained:• Volunteers sign up to be zombies, who, when they show up at the race site, get full head-to-toe makeover into the undead, including makeup and clothing.“All of our zombie slots are taken for all of our races this year,” Smith said. “It was an amazing response.”Race zombies come in three types — fast, slow and as a distraction.“Some zombies don't chase you at all. They are there to distract you throughout the course,” Smith said.• Runners are sent through the trail race course wearing flag-football belts with three velcro tear-away flags.“If zombies take all three of your flags before you reach the finish line, you aren't listed as 'did not finish,' like in other races. You're listed as 'dead,'” Smith said.• Runners are sent in waves or small groups of four or five at a time, which means the event takes most of the day.The race is probably better fit for accomplished runners, Smith said, adding, “It won't be impossible for beginning runners.”The course includes obstacles, like logs to crawl over, as well as the zombies.• When the race ends, the Apocalypse Party begins with local bands, food and beer, as well as other activities.“If you run in the race, you're invited to the party,” Smith said.He also said he and his staff have heard about Butler County's connection to the “Night of the Living Dead.”“That's really cool,” he said.
<b>WHAT: </b>Run For Your Lives<b>WHEN: </b>Sept. 1<b>WHERE: </b>The Switchback Raceway, 2469 William Flynn Highway-Route 8, Clay Township<b> COST: </b>Runners — $87, no day of race sign-upSpectators — $32 now through Aug. 31; $40 day of race.For more information, go to www.runforyourlives.com.
