Living dead invade Columbus for 5k

  • Published
  • By Airman John Day
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  Columbus Air Force Base held its second annual Zombie Run Sep. 20, which started at the graveyard on Independence Ave.

During the event, runners navigated through five kilometers of muddy terrain. Participants faced many obstacles including crawling through tubes and mud, a tire pit and an eight foot wall, all the while avoiding the many zombies along the path.

During the run, each runner was given a flag-belt with two flags. Their goal was to make it to the end of the course with at least one flag remaining, therefore surviving the race. Losing both flags caused runners to be considered "infected." The zombies' mission was to scare the runners and attempt to steal their flags.

Volunteer zombies spent hours with makeup and costumes to appear as real as they could. Makeup and application was provided for the zombies.

"I got to dress up in multicams and turn into a zombie," said Airman 1st Class Adrian Johnson, 14th Medical Support Squadron. "It was great to jump out and scare the runners."

Younger children played on inflatable slides and bounce houses while their parents ran. They were also able to run a mile of their own after the adult teams had finished.

Not only were both adults and children of team BLAZE allowed to run, but the event was open to the Columbus, Mississippi, community as well.

"The community got to experience what it's like to be on base and how important it is to be integrated," said Linda Norman, 14th Force Support Squadron, Marketing Assistant. "Putting on events like this that are open to the public is a perfect way to show this bond between the base and the community."

Upon completion of the run, the muddy participants were able to wash the mud off by walking through a makeshift sprinkler at the firehouse. Afterwards, they were given a medal, t-shirt, food and drinks to celebrate their survival of the zombie invasion.