What’s more challenging than running a 5K paramilitary style course? Running one with mud, obstacles, and, did I mention blood-thirsty zombies?
Rodeo Marie Hanson, a 10 year old from Fleetwood, is acquainted with courses like this one. Hanson has served for three years in a row as an “Honorary Zombie” at The Zombie Mud Run at Shocktoberfest in Sinking Spring.
For decades going back to the 1990s, Shocktoberfest owner Pat Konopelski has ushered in Halloween for children of all ages in the tri-state area. Recognized by Haunt World Magazine, as one of the “Top 13 Haunts In America”, Shocktoberfest has also enjoyed national attention in the media from the likes of Jay Leno, for the one of a kind unique offerings at the park.
Shocktoberfest staff members like Heather Mateuszow welcome participants register for the run which serve as the official kick-off to the park’s season.
Rodeo returned for the 4th year in a row on Oct. 8 to be part of the event which takes place in multiple states across the country. Runners compete in waves negotiating obstacles including climbing-over walls, slithering through tubes, crawling into pits and conquering mounds that empty into water-filled holes, and mud, lots of it.
Add to this geographically challenging mix is an infestation of agile zombies.
Brave participants must complete the course while successfully evading and dodging the actors portraying zombies, who are intent on removing the football style flags dangling from the runners’ waists that serve as their “vital organs”. Runners are issued three flags, and if they lose all of them, they are considered “infected” with the zombie virus.
In the past Rodeo served as an “Honorary Zombie” chasing the runners, but this time around she provided a bit of a twist in honor of Halloween, and served as an “Honorary Runner.”
Hanson had to negotiate the obstacles, keep a good pace throughout the course, and outwit the zombies who lunged from the shadows and dark creepy hairpin turns on the course in an effort to slow her down and grab her flags.
Rodeo rose to the challenge throughout the race, and emerged from the final mud slathered obstacles with zombies trailing behind her, to cross the finish line with all of her flags intact.
For her efforts, Hanson received a medallion, a greater appreciation for the runners she pursued at the event in previous years, and a sense of satisfaction that can only be achieved by being covered from head to toe in mud.
For more information on The Zombie Mud Run or Shocktoberfest visit: www.thezombiemudrun.com and www.shocktoberfest.com.
