CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – The zombie apocalypse hasn’t yet arrived, but the zombies are nevertheless on their way to Lake County this spring.
The “Run for Your Lives” obstacle 5k race will be held at Oasis Motorcross, 24736 E. Highway 20, east of Clearlake Oaks, on Saturday, May 11.
The race is the brainchild of Maryland-based Reed Street Productions. In 2012, the race was held in 12 U.S. cities and hosted more than 100,000 participants.
This year the race has expanded to 21 locations, including Lake County.
New this year, participants can expect to encounter increasingly challenging obstacles and an enhanced Apocalypse Party experience.
“Run For Your Lives is a one-of-a-kind experience that challenges participants to think on their feet and push their fitness capabilities,” said Ryan Hogan, managing director of Reed Street Productions and co-creator of Run For Your Lives. “Zombies are at the forefront of pop culture, and our race in California lets everyone from zombie enthusiasts to fitness fanatics and first-time runners live out their greatest survival fantasies. We hope participants are prepared to run for their lives on May 11.”
Run for Your Lives invites participants to climb, crawl and sprint their way through a series of 10 mystery obstacles over a 5K course – all while being chased by hundreds of professionally made up zombies.
Racers begin the course wearing a flag football-like belt with three hanging flags, which members of the undead attempt to remove throughout the run.
Survivors and newly created zombies – those who reach the finish line without flags – are able to celebrate the end of the world at the Apocalypse Party, which features live music, entertainment, local vendors, national sponsors and food and beverage.
Participants can sign up as a runner, zombie or both, or choose to stand on the sidelines as a spectator and watch participants run for their lives.
Registration packages for participants include a race shirt, admission to the Apocalypse Party, a medal signifying your survival or zombie transformation, and advanced training for the zombie apocalypse.
If you’re not brave enough to face the zombies, spectator passes are available.
The Kennedy Krieger Institute and Project Sole are the official charitable partners of Run For Your Lives for 2013.
To register for Run For Your Lives or for more information regarding how the race works, please visit www.runforyourlives.com .