Robert L. Cancienne
September 18, 2013
Colonels soccer red-hot in 2013
September 25, 2013
The rumors you’ve heard are true.
The Zombie Apocalypse is real, and the blood-sucking, brain-eating creatures have promised to take over the town of Cut Off in mid-October.
But local authorities shouldn’t be on high alert and citizens should not be panicked.
The beastly villains are invading for a good cause. Their mission is to help out the Cut Off Youth Center.
The Sole Survivors 5K run will take place on the youth center’s grounds on Oct. 19.
In this “race for survival,” participants will be tasked with outlasting both 3.1 miles of turf and ferocious zombies on a mission for destruction.
No worries, things are not as difficult as they seem. The event’s press release clearly states in bold letters that the ferocious creatures are not allowed to eat any participant’s brains during the day of fun.
“We just wanted to do something different and fun,” event organizer Laurie Laine Coleman said. “We think that people will be able to come out, have a good time, get good exercise and run away from some zombies. With it being close to Halloween, it’s almost like a costume party. We think that everyone who chooses to attend will really enjoy this event.”
The zombies are the obvious nuisances during this themed 5K run.
Coleman said runners will wear flag football vests equipped with three flags. She said that zombies will be positioned all across the course and will attempt to jar the flags from the runner’s belts.
Each flag marks a “lifeline” for the runner.
Each runner who completes the more than three-mile run with lifelines at his or her disposal will be entered into a prize drawing.
While tussling with the zombies is tough enough, the course will also prove to be challenging.
Coleman said mud pits, unbeaten paths and obstacles would be laid throughout the trek.
If the pressure is too much, Coleman stressed that anyone can participate in the event.
She said that runners who want to participate without zombie interaction may do so, as well. Those runners simply will not be given a flag football belt.
Coleman also said that the race will not be timed, so runners can compete at any pace. Strollers are also welcome.
“Anyone that wants to come out and take part in the Sole Survivors race is welcome to do so – absolutely,” Coleman said. “Some people love the zombies and that interaction and everything like that. But if you’re not into that thing, but still want to run, that’s OK, too. We don’t want to exclude anyone. We want everybody to feel like they can be welcome at this event.”
Coleman stressed that both runners and zombies are needed for the event to be a success.
She said that zombies would be in charge of creating their own gruesome garb. She added that a contest would be held for those with the best theme, look and makeup.
Following the race, Coleman said runners and zombies would head to a neutral “decontamination zone.”
In this area, food and drinks will be served and entertainment will take place. Coleman said the drawings for the prizes will take place at this time.
“We’ll have things for people of all ages to do,” Coleman said. “We’ll have plenty of food and drinks for anyone with an empty stomach.”
Those wanting to compete in the event – as either a runner or zombie – are asked to pick up a registration form at either the Cut Off Youth Center or at The Lafourche Gazette’s office in Larose.
A downloadable form is also available online at www.facebook.com/sole.survivors.14.
To participate, the cost is $25 for runners and $20 for zombies.
Late registration will increase prices by $5 per category.
The purpose of the race is to raise money for the COYC in its endeavors.
Coleman said all of the registration money and concession sales will be donated directly to the building.
The COYC hosts several public activities at little to no charge.
But the cost of operating a public facility is steep, according to Coleman.
“It costs $500 a day to operate the facility,” Coleman said. “So they need all of the funds and donations that they can get. We’re happy to do this event to help them because they do so much to help so many people in the south Lafourche area.”
Coleman said volunteers are going to be needed before the race to set up the course and to operate booths around the facility.
To volunteer or to learn more about the event, those interested are asked to email Coleman at laurielainecoleman@gmail.com.
Runners sprint through a soggy, muddy course at a 5K run as costumed zombies try and pry flags from the participant’s belts. The Sole Survivors 5K run will take place at the Cut Off Youth Center on Oct. 19. Proceeds from the event will go to benefit the youth center, which has steep daily costs. Those wanting to run without zombie interference may also do so.
