Outbreak Cebu race to feature ‘zombies’

Runtertainment and Parkmall Mandaue will stage a unique apocalyptic-conceptualized running event dubbed Outbreak Cebu on Dec. 21 at the Parkmall grounds in Mandaue City.

The unique running event is based on the United States’ Run For Your Lives, wherein runners will be hounded by “zombies” along the 5-kilometer race route.

Runners will carry three flags that will serve as their life. The “zombies” will then aim to remove those life flags while runners make their way to the finish line.

“It’s going to be a great event,” said organizer Angelo Cruz during a press conference yesterday at the Bob Marlins restaurant. The race was first held here in the country in Bonifacio Global City last year.

“We are also staging this running event on the predicted date of the end of the world (Dec. 21, 2012) according to the Mayan calendar. But runners won’t have to worry because this will be purely for fun,” added Cruz.

The organizers are expecting a huge number of participants because of the uniqueness of the race.

The race has some guidelines and rules to be followed to maintain peace and order. The organizers’ cardinal rule is no physical contact between the runners and the “zombies” to prevent any injuries on both sides.

A runner or “zombie” who will be caught violating this rule will be disqualified. Organizers are also requesting participants to avoid taunting the “zombies”.

The race will be a 5-kilometer run within the Parkmall vicinity. The expected 5,000 runners will be divided into 25 waves to prevent stampede and overcrowding.  The race will kick off at 6 p.m.

The event is open to participants 13 years old and above. Registration fee is pegged at P500. But on Nov. 6, the fee will increase to P600 inclusive of a race shirt, bib and the life flag.  Registration can be done at the concierge of Parkmall Mandaue.

Meanwhile, organizers are also calling on those who want to apply as  “zombies” of the event. Those interested can visit the event’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/outbreakcebu.

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