Students prepare to run from “zombies”
Photo courtesy of the Center for Public Service.
By Katie Cheyne, Staff Writer
This year the first interactive zombie-infested obstacle race experience is taking place all over the country, and it is coming to Gettysburg College.
On Friday Oct. 26 at 5 p.m., the Zombie 5k Race will be held at the Quarry Pavilion. The Quarry will be the starting point of the 3.1-mile race.
At the beginning of the race all of the competitors are given a belt with three flags attached on the sides. The flags represent the runner’s health so the goal is to keep as many on their belt as possible.
This race is different from other marathons because there will be zombies running alongside the runners trying to collect as many flags as they possibly can. If a runner loses all of their flags, they will be considered infected with the zombie virus, resulting with the zombies claiming a victory.
As well as trying to keep away from the zombies, the runners must face many other obstacles set up on the course. There may be water, mud, and even blood forcing competitors to climb, crawl, duck and dive in order to cross the finish line.
Runners who decide to avoid any obstacle in the race will not be considered a true survivor of the obstacle course, or of the zombie apocalypse.
If competitors are able to cross the finish line with one or more flags still attached to their belts, they have survived the apocalypse. With this being said, runners are not allowed to pick other flags off the ground or take another runner’s once they have become a zombie. There will be course officials making sure the rules are followed.
Students will be able to sign up for the race in the Center of Public Service, online or at the CUB table. There is a $10 registration fee, where all of the profits will go towards the annual Thanksgiving Basket Drive.
Once students have registered they will be able to choose whether they want to be a zombie or racer. Anyone who signs up to be a zombie must attend a mandatory orientation prior to the race.
At the end of the race there will be a celebration in the Attic including entertainment and food.
