During a 5K this Saturday, runners won’t just be running to beat their personal records — they’ll be running for their lives.

The third annual Run of the Dead will take place Saturday at the Syracuse Kickball Park in Liverpool.

Unlike a typical 5K race, the Run of the Dead will incorporate two groups of participants: runners and zombies. Runners will be given flag belts at the start of the race and must run from “zombies” who will try to steal their flags. The run is also an obstacle course, so runners must dodge, climb and crawl away from flesh-eating monsters.

“We’re going to challenge a lot of different fears people have,” said run coordinator Jeff Mcllroy.

The goal for runners is to complete the course having at least one flag intact. Runners who cross the finish line with a flag will be eligible for various prizes, Mcllroy said.

As the designer of the obstacle course, Mcllroy described how obstacles such as polar walls will target people’s fear of heights, while the remote, maze-like parts of the trail are aimed toward those who fear getting lost.

An additional fear factor is the zombies themselves. Makeup artists will be prepping the zombies before the race to make them look like the walking dead. Aside from being chased by them, runners can expect zombies to pop up and surprise them.

Other elements of the event include an “Apocalypse Party,” which will start after the first wave of racers finish and continue for the rest of the day. Vendors, food, beverages and live music will be available for participants to enjoy.

Andrew Cherock, the owner and assistant director of the Syracuse Sports Association, and Mcllroy came up with the idea for the event together when they were talking at a wedding a few years ago. Mcllroy said he usually is more involved in the creation of the course while Cherock is in charge of marketing and organization.

“Each year we’ve tried to grow just a little bit,” Cherock said, citing examples like new obstacles and a new group of zombies as ways to expand the event and make it different. “This year, I think we’ve gotten the flow down a bit better.”

Mcllroy described the zombies of the first Run of the Dead as “aggressive.” This year, they increased the number of zombies but also incorporated some extra training with them to go over a code of conduct and rehearse for the event.

As a response to runners’ feedback from past years, the course this year will be more possible for runners to complete and still remain challenging.

“The goal is to make it more enjoyable every year for the runners,” Mcllroy said.

Along with being an event for fun and fitness, the Run of the Dead also supports a good cause.

Profits of the event will benefit the Wilderness Search and Rescue Team, of which McIlroy is the treasurer.

The Run of the Dead is the largest fundraiser of the year for the Wilderness Search and Rescue Team. As a volunteer organization, its only source of funds comes from charity events, like the run. The run itself will account for 50 to 60 percent of the Wilderness Search and Rescue Team’s operational expenses this year.

Whether racers are competing to set a best 5K time, to run away from zombies, or to enjoy the after party, it will be an event to die for.

Said Cherock: “It’s just a big party.”

Published on October 9, 2014 at 12:27 am

Contact Alex: aerdekia@syr.edu