A runner dodges a zombie in his path at Wolf Oak Acres, Oneida, NY. Photo: Wolf Oak Acres, Zombie Run Facebook page
Birders, boaters, hikers, fishermen, beach lovers, and swimmers all have something in common: They draw attention to Great Lakes ecology through their activities at or near the shoreline.
Now they have zombies helping them out.
In what might be one of the wackiest and most unorthodox ways of getting people to reconnect with nature, early (cheaper) registration for an event billed as the Lake Eerie (not a typo, folks) Zombie Mud Run ends June 30. The race is Sept. 14 at East Sandusky Bay Erie Metropark in Sandusky, Ohio.
Perhaps if nothing else it is a sign of the modern marketing power of the zombie craze.
The storyline for this fun run goes something like this:
The East Sandusky Bay Erie Metropark was allegedly possessed by witches more than a century ago.
They allegedly turned 108 men, women, and children into zombies.
At nightfall, swarms of zombies would break into the water, hunting for freedom and infecting those on land once they reached shore.
The challenge is to run through 5 kilometers of shoreline muck while the alleged zombies are chasing you.
Cost for runners is $45 for early registration, which ends June 30. After that, it ranges from $55 to $95, depending on the date. Zombies are charged only $35. Spectators can get in for $10. More information here.
The East Sandusky Bay Erie Metropark is along Lake Erie, a little east of Cedar Point.