Second annual Zombie Run to invade Sunset Park Oct. 27
Zombies will strike back at the second annual Las Vegas Zombie Run, set for 9 a.m. Oct. 27 at Sunset Park, 2601 E. Sunset Road. The event raises money for public schools and community parklands.
Runners can choose the 5K or 1-mile run, which will require participants to wear a flag football-style belt. Runners must escape the zombies, who will attempt to grab their flags.
For those who want to run a zombie-free course, a new timed 5K run will be available at 7 a.m.
“We want to make this a fun community event for folks to raise money for a good cause,” said Emily Morris, board member of Generation Vegas, which puts on the run. “It’s not an aggressive event; it’s all in good nature.”
The goal of the race is to make it to the finish line with at least one flag attached, meaning that the runner has survived. If the runner loses all of his flags, he will be considered “infected.”
Morris said this year’s race has an updated course with a larger space for more participants and a more scenic route. There will also be a new starting and finishing line, and runners will be divided into smaller groups.
Runners will start at 10-minute intervals to ease course crowding. Each runner will be pre-assigned to a specific start time.
To ensure that runners can run with their friends or family members, they can set up teams at active.com. All team members will be placed in the same group on race day.
Runners will receive a running bib and a flag belt. In addition, the first 2,500 people to register will receive a goodie bag.
According to lasvegaszombierun.com, the race is not a timed or competitive event. Zombies are designated to stay in a defined area and are not allowed to run after participants.
“It’s such a fun event because you get to run away from zombies,” said Marisol Louis-Jacques, a participant at last year’s run. “The zombies aren’t too aggressive, but they definitely made you work for your flags.”
Food trucks will be at the event, and vendors will feature Zombie Run merchandise, entertainment and activities.
The cast from “Evil Dead: The Musical” will have a booth set up at the event for meet-and-greets with the cast. Sirc Michaels, producer and director of “Evil Dead: The Musical” in Las Vegas, said the Zombie Run has been a worthy event for the cast to attend.
“It’s not just a fun event to go to, but it’s also helpful for our community,” Michaels said. “Education is sorely underfunded in the state, and this event works with organizations to help fix that problem.”
The Zombie Run was created last year to raise money for Generation Vegas, which focuses on improving education, community and leadership in the Las Vegas Valley.
Following last year’s race, Generation Vegas gave $50,000 to The Public Education Foundation, which used it to refurbish libraries in public schools.
This year all proceeds will go to Generation Vegas, who has partnered with The Public Education Foundation and the Outside Las Vegas Foundation.
The Public Education Foundation supports public education through initiatives, programs and practices designed to improve student performance. The Outside Las Vegas Foundation’s mission is to connect people to Southern Nevada’s outdoor places.
Morris said 1,500 people attended the race last year and estimated that this year the same amount will participate.
Children can run, but those under 18 must have a parent or guardian sign a release, and those under 12 must run with a parent.
“Some people think that this is a scary event, but the zombies are all really respectful,” Morris said. “It’s a fun event for people of all ages.”
Volunteers are still needed and should plan to arrive between 6 and 7:30 a.m. and stay until 2 p.m.
Those who want to volunteer as zombies are required to bring their own costumes. Props are not allowed, but basic Halloween makeup will be provided.
Check-in for runners is set to begin at 7 a.m.
The last day to register to run or volunteer at the event is Oct. 25. The registration fee for runners is $60, but those who use the discount code ZR50MM can register for $30.
For more information, visit lasvegaszombierun.com.
Contact Sunrise/Whitney View reporter Sandy Lopez at slopez@viewnews.com or 702-383-4686.
