Zombies lurked out of the bayou waters on Saturday at Selman Field to chase students through an obstacle course.

The run consisted of a 5k outdoor track with a variety of obstacles that runners had to maneuver while being chased by the zombies.

Each runner was given a flag football belt with four flags, which the zombies attempted to take.

Physical contact between runners and zombies was not allowed to ensure the safety of all participants.

The Zombie Outrun was the last of the Warhawk Dash series.

Each year SGA hosts an obstacle course run at Selman Field, but this year was the last year for the event.

According to Laura Knotts, Director of Student Life and SGA advisor, the field used for the run will no longer be available for SGA use because it is being dedicated to a new project.  This year was the first zombie themed run.

“Since so many people participated last year, we wanted to give this one a new twist,” Knotts said.

Over 150 runners participated in the event.

The runners were chased by approximately 30 SGA members and volunteers dressed as zombies.

SGA provided make-up for the zombies such as fake blood, face paint, and shredded clothes.

The zombies also brought their own zombie gear as well.

The obstacles that runners faced on the course included a haunted playhouse, mud pits, a “traffic jam” of cars, swimming across a small pond, a tire march, crawling through tractor tires and a hoard of zombies.

Zombies were hidden around several of the obstacles throughout the course.  SGA spent three days setting up the course.

David Evans, a sophomore majoring in pre-pharmacy, participated in the run and finished in the top ten runners.

“It was a good run.  There were a lot of challenges which made it all the more entertaining,” Evans said.

Kevin Carroll, a junior agribusiness major and SGA member, was one of the zombies on the course.

Carroll said that the run was fun but tiring.  He was happy with the turnout for the event.

“We had a lot of people who were really gung-ho and others who were here just to have a good time.  I’m glad we had both types of people here,” Carroll said.

A table filled with water and snacks was set up for the runners at the finish line.

Sell The Kids, a local band, volunteered to perform for the event.  A stage was set up near the track.

Each runner paid a registration fee of $20 to $40, process varied based on time of registration.

A t-shirt was included in the registration price.  SGA spent approximately $3,000 total on the event.

Prizes were awarded to the top 10 men and women runners.  The top 10 in each group received a medal and skeleton drinking glass.

Third place and above were awarded bandanas, water bottles and a choice of movies.

Second place and above received a copy of Max Brook’s,
The Zombie Survival Guide.”

The first place winners, Beaux Bennett and Heather Walters, received a copy of World War Z.

Prior to the event, SGA announced that if 275 people participated SGA would buy phone charging stations for the SUB.

Each station would feature eight charging chords, which would be compatible with most phones.

Knotts said that since SGA did not meet their goal of participants, they will discuss whether or not to supply the rest of the funding for the project.