By Sarah Opdahl

Calling all interested runners and potential zombies in Sherman, New Fairfield, and beyond! Sherman Parks & Recreation is excited to host a most-spooky 3K with The Sherman Zombie Run on Sunday, October 18, 4:00-6:00 p.m. A cleverly creepy event, the route will pit runners with “survivor flags” against a gauntlet of zombies who are looking to steal as many flags as possible from passersby.

One of the organizers, Lauren English, joked of what she hopes to be the first of many Zombie Runs, “I have always told my family and friends that the only way I would consider running would be if I were running from zombies.” She went on to say that locally, “I’ve seen a lot of fun ideas like mud runs, kids’ color runs, etc. so I thought a Zombie Run could be a great event for runners and non-runners (like myself) alike!”

Following a pattern set by other Zombie Runs that have occurred nationwide, English describes the run as “like flag football.” The zombies, who will be heavily made up and ready to play the part, “are trying to turn the Survivors, who begin with three life flags attached to them (probably on their backs). The zombies try to grab those flags from the Survivors, but they can only take one flag per Survivor at a time. If a Survivor loses all three flags, they become infected and officially become a zombie!” English clarified, “The only contact should be with the flags themselves.”

Zombies are free to be as creative as possible, and a makeup kit is included in their registration fee. Plus, if anyone is interested, volunteers will be on hand to help Zombies and Survivors get ‘spookified’. Runners will certainly have a thrill of a time being chased by the zombie folk and are welcome to dress up, too.

The eerie two-mile race route will begin and end at the Sherman Town Beach. Racers will run for their flag lives to a turnaround point at the Sherman sign at the beginning of Sawmill Road. On their way back, they will need to make one disquieting lap around Veterans Field before heading back to the Town Beach. The roads will remain open, English explained, “but there will be plenty of ‘Zombie Crossing’ signs up to let drivers know to SLOW DOWN when coming in and out. We will also have the route clearly marked.”

While spectators are more than welcome, “we strongly encourage anyone interested to become a participant! If you sign up as a Zombie, you can choose to run the whole route or just find a good hiding spot and wait for the Survivors to come to you!,” English said.

A perfect entry into the high Halloween season, there will be loads of Zombie Run decorations, and music will be rolling, maybe even some zombie band tunes arranged by Mr. Carlone and Mr. Trinchillo—the band and music teachers at The Sherman School. Light refreshments and candy will be available and donations are welcome.

Bragging rights and prizes will go to the Zombie(s) who collect the most flags, the first Survivor(s) to finish the race, and to any Survivor who finishes with all of his/her flags still intact. The Cub Scouts have offered to have a bonfire for the awards ceremony at the end—and hopefully some creepy campfire stories as well!

So, choose your side (zombie or survivor) and sign up now through Sherman Parks and Recreation at shermanct.myrec.com. Registration fees are adults, $20; kids 14 to 18, $10; and kids under 14 are free. A portion of the proceeds will go to New Fairfield Sherman Animal Welfare. Hopefully, however chilling the event, it will be lovely weather, but there’s a rain date of Sunday, October 25, if not. English will be there and said that she’s ready to take part and hit the ground running as either a zombie or survivor, though she’s “not sure which one I’ll be yet!”