Level Up Survives The D.C. Zombie Outbreak

Another action packed weekend comes to a close for the Level Up Family. This weekend the Team traveled to the National Harbor for the Zombie Run. The Zombie Run is a 5K Adventure Race, what separates it from other adventure races is the fact that you have Zombies spread throughout the course trying to take you out! Unlike what you are used to seeing the movies, the zombies here aren’t as deadly, instead of sinking their teeth into you, they attempt to capture flags that hang from a belt around your waist. The set up is similar to Flag Football. You begin the race with 3 flags, if at any point you lose all three you are officially infected. Most people compete in teams of 5, as long as one member of your team makes it to the finish line with at least one flag the team wins.

 

The Team arrived at 10am to get signed in and grab their gear and wait for their turn to run. The heats would go off roughly every 20 minutes. The atmosphere was electric! Everyone was excited to be there, and you could feel it in the air. Under the tent at the registration area you could watch the Zombies having their make up applied. The transformation was fun to watch, from normal to abnormal in a matter of minutes. Some teams showed up in costume, the most notable being the Avengers. Complete with Captain America, Ironman, Black Widow, and Thor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Level Up had two teams in the race, as well as Team Bob Zombie lead by MD State Boxing Champion Bobby Breslin, who does mittwork with Level Up’s Coach Jason Farrell. All three groups were able to run in the same heat. The race kicks off near the harbor, and takes off down along the coastline. The group has approximately 100 runners in it, so the pace begins slow as to not bump into each other and cause a domino effect of downed runners. At about a quarter mile into the race we encountered our first Zombies. From here on out it was a steady stream of attackers. Some runners stayed in groups in an attempt to stay blocked from the Zombies, others would look to outrun and outmaneuver the Flag Thirsty Attackers. This was no steady pace 5K. You had to be prepared to sprint at a moments notice. The Zombies proved to be worthy adversaries, taking out the members of the team quickly. Erin Jimenez and Yasemin Jamison would make it roughly three quarters of the way before being taken out. In the end it was young David Jamison, a student at Anne Arundel Community College and WKA National Runner Up that would make it through with one flag remaining.

 

 

 

Overall the race was a fun experience, and had it been possible the team would have gone right back through it again. We look forward to competing in more upcoming races this and next year. If you are active in the Adventure Race scene and would like to train with us for your next race, or have been thinking about doing one of these exciting runs but are afraid you aren’t in good enough shape, come try out our 30 DAY FREE TRIAL!! We can have you race ready in 6 weeks! Call today to schedule an appointment to take a tour of our 9000sq ft. facility!

 

240.206.8505