New way to stay healthy: The zombie 5K

Some people run for charity; some run for their health. And some run because it’s the only way to escape the ravenous brain-eating zombies who chase them. No, that’s not a movie plot. It’s essentially the pitch for Run for Your Lives, a “zombie-infested 5K obstacle race” whose popularity has surprised even its organizers. …

The draw seems to be what Smith calls “extreme distraction” — an event that’s so outside the norm that it can’t help but be fun. Less than a year later, Run for Your Lives has spread (yes, like a virus), with 12 races planned this year in cities from Austin to Toronto. And people are signing up by the thousands. Smith says they should finish 2012 with 75,000-85,000 participants.

During the race, waves of runners hit the course wearing “health flags” on their waists — one on each side, and one in back. Along the way, they must navigate obstacles, harried by slow-footed but determined zombies. The race allows participants to sign up for either role. And those who choose “zombie” often take their roles — and their makeup — very seriously.