By Natalie Bazinet
Staff Writer
CARIBOU — For many, it’s hard to find that extra motivation to lace up their sneakers and get moving.
While some 5K’s around the region provide running-incentive through T-shirts, medals and of course the sense of accomplishment one gets by crossing the finish line, a new type of 5K with a very different motivational means is coming to Caribou this spring — runners will be fleeing for their lives. From zombies. Who are trying to catch them.
Of course, runners lives aren’t really at stake, the zombies are really just fun-loving volunteers chipping in to make The County’s first Zombie Apocalypse 5K a fabulous success, and the zombies will be chasing runners through the very safe trails on the Cary Medical Center Campus for the May 11 event.
“There are all kinds of ways of getting people outside to do things, and sometimes traditional approaches don’t work because people think they can’t run as fast as everyone else or they’re intimidated by competition — this isn’t like that,” said Director of Community Relation and Development for the Cary Medical Center Bill Flagg.
He laughingly emphasized that the “zombie chasing” element of this unique 5K is absolutely just a funny spin on a popular theme and highlighting that there’s no tackling or any other aggressive behavior involved in the unique distance run.
In keeping with the zombie apocalypse theme, runners will be wearing flags that the zombies will be trying to take. If a runner gets close enough for a zombie to steal their flag, then the runner symbolically didn’t survive the zombie apocalypse.
Theoretical survival aside, the main goal of the race is to bring members of the community outdoors for a great big spoof-survival game that doubles as great exercise — all while raising funds for the Pine Tree Chapter of the American Red Cross.
“It’s a new little twist on the normal 5K races that are around town,” said Loring Job Corps Center Career Preparation Specialist Graham Warne, who’s spearheading the event with help from student volunteers and hospital staff. “It’s something different to bring out the community to have fun with and get some good exercise.”
Warne first came across the zombie apocalypse 5K concept through the television show “Comic Book Guys,” and pitched the idea to a very receptive Job Corps audience — students and faculty alike. As the Loring Job Corps Center and Cary have had such a positive working relationship over the years that the hospital actually received an award for it a few years ago, Cary was quick to support the unconventional race that embraces the creativity, volunteerism and enthusiasm of Job Corps students.
“That’s the really great thing about the Loring Job Corps Center and Cary — it’s been such a remarkable relationship,” Flagg said.
After sitting down for a discussion with Warne and other Job Corps reps to learn about what a zombie 5K even entailed — Flagg pitched the concept to Cary’s CEO Kris Doody.
“The first thing she said was ‘yes, we’ll do it!’” Flag said.
Between the LJC and Cary alone, about 55 people have already volunteered to help out at the event — and roughly 35 student volunteers have already agreed to be zombies.
“If community members want to donate to the cause, they can also be zombies,” Warne explained. “LJC students will help them dress up with all the makeup, and we have tentative plans to do a zombie parade.”
With details regarding the unique run still being solidified, more details will be available in the coming weeks, but runners and walkers looking to participate are looking at a $10 fee to race — which will also get them a special Zombie Apocalypse 5K T-shirt. Proceeds will benefit the Pine Tree Chapter of the American Red Cross.
As this is the first year of race, organizers are still actively looking for sponsors, volunteers and participants to ensure the race’s success.
“The whole idea of zombies is just so popular now,” Flagg said, “ I think it turns something that used to be scary into something to have fun with — we haven’t heard any negative reactions from anyone,” he added, “everyone thinks it’s pretty cool.”
Individuals looking for more information about The County’s first Zombie Apocalypse 5K can e-mail Warne at Warne.Graham@jobcorps.org, and community members are encouraged to participate in the race.
“It’s amazing how fast you can run when you’re running from zombies,” Flagg joked.
