Featured Photo by Run Of The Dead, Syracuse, NY
Best Halloween Zombie Runs Near Rivers
What better motivation to get out and run this fall than to be chased by zombies? Every year around fall you can find zombie races around the US for scares and Halloween fun! Here are some of the best Halloween Zombie Runs near rivers to add to your fall bucket list this year.
Photo by New Orleans Zombie Run
Halloween Zombie Runs: New Orleans Zombie Run (New Orleans, LA)
Best For Shortest Run
New Orleans is known for throwing extravagant holiday celebrations, but the holiday they do best each year might be Halloween. They have spooky parades, some of the best haunted houses, bar crawls, and more, including their New Orleans Zombie Run. This two mile run is perfect for those who want to enjoy a short run or walk before the festivities. Participants are encouraged to dress in their best Halloween costumes for the race and take on the zombie infested route. Then they can enjoy the day before seeing the Krewe of Boo! Halloween Parade in the French Quarter at sundown. Your registration in the race includes a free race shirt and open bar at Lucy’s Retired Surfers Bar where the race begins and ends for those who are 21+.
New Orleans is known for throwing extravagant holiday celebrations, but the holiday they do best each year might be Halloween. They have spooky parades, some of the best haunted houses, bar crawls, and more, including their New Orleans Zombie Run. This two mile run is perfect for those who want to enjoy a short run or walk before the festivities. Participants are encouraged to dress in their best Halloween costumes for the race and take on the zombie infested route. Then they can enjoy the day before seeing the Krewe of Boo! Halloween Parade in the French Quarter at sundown. Your registration in the race includes a free race shirt and open bar at Lucy’s Retired Surfers Bar where the race begins and ends for those who are 21+.
New Orleans Zombie Run Trip Tips
Registration: Tickets, Location: Downtown New Orleans, Lucy’s Retired Surfers Bar, Month: October, Race Distance: 2 miles, Nearby Attractions & Events: Oktoberfest, The Ruby Slipper Cafe, Local Tourism Guide: Visit New Orleans
Registration: Tickets, Location: Downtown New Orleans, Lucy’s Retired Surfers Bar, Month: October, Race Distance: 2 miles, Nearby Attractions & Events: Oktoberfest, The Ruby Slipper Cafe, Local Tourism Guide: Visit New Orleans
Photo by The Zombie Fun Run
Halloween Zombie Runs: The Zombie Fun Run (Lancaster, PA)
Best For Obstacle Course Route
For something a little more challenging, The Zombie Fun Run takes participants through a 5K obstacle course while being chased by zombies. Located at the Field of Screams, you can enjoy running through movie quality scenes while avoiding zombies and hitting obstacles. Open both during the day and at night, the 5K is suitable for all ages. Participants can even choose to be either a zombie or a runner. You’ll want to wear clothes that can get dirty, as over 30 obstacles will have you crawling, jumping, and running through mud while you dodge zombies. Protect your “life” flags to receive a survivor medal and t-shirt at the end of the race, or an infected medal and t-shirt if the zombies get you. Everyone gets to enjoy the Living Dead After Party after the race. There will be food, games, live music, a souvenir shop, and the chance to get a Zombie makeover by a professional make-up artist.
For something a little more challenging, The Zombie Fun Run takes participants through a 5K obstacle course while being chased by zombies. Located at the Field of Screams, you can enjoy running through movie quality scenes while avoiding zombies and hitting obstacles. Open both during the day and at night, the 5K is suitable for all ages. Participants can even choose to be either a zombie or a runner. You’ll want to wear clothes that can get dirty, as over 30 obstacles will have you crawling, jumping, and running through mud while you dodge zombies. Protect your “life” flags to receive a survivor medal and t-shirt at the end of the race, or an infected medal and t-shirt if the zombies get you. Everyone gets to enjoy the Living Dead After Party after the race. There will be food, games, live music, a souvenir shop, and the chance to get a Zombie makeover by a professional make-up artist.
The Zombie Fun Run Trip Tips
Registration: Online Form, Location: Field Of Screams, Month: November, Race Distance: 5K, Nearby Attractions & Events: Square Mile Public House, Turkey Hill Experience, Local Tourism Guide: Discover Lancaster
Registration: Online Form, Location: Field Of Screams, Month: November, Race Distance: 5K, Nearby Attractions & Events: Square Mile Public House, Turkey Hill Experience, Local Tourism Guide: Discover Lancaster
Photo by Traverse City Zombie Run
Halloween Zombie Runs: Traverse City Zombie Run (Traverse City, MI)
Best For All Out Costumes
Another great Zombie Run is the Traverse City Zombie Run held each October in Traverse City, Michigan. This 5K run and walk is all about the costumes, with prizes for the best dressed adult and child males and females, and group costumes. There are also medals for overall male and female race winners, and 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place age group winners. Starting at Right Brain Brewery, you can have a blast participating in the race while viewing all the awesome costumes. Afterward, there are refreshments at the brewery and prizes for the winners.
Another great Zombie Run is the Traverse City Zombie Run held each October in Traverse City, Michigan. This 5K run and walk is all about the costumes, with prizes for the best dressed adult and child males and females, and group costumes. There are also medals for overall male and female race winners, and 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place age group winners. Starting at Right Brain Brewery, you can have a blast participating in the race while viewing all the awesome costumes. Afterward, there are refreshments at the brewery and prizes for the winners.
Traverse City Zombie Run Trip Tips
Registration: Online Form, Location: Right Brain Brewery, Month: October, Race Distance: 5K, Nearby Attractions & Events: Grand Traverse Bay, Poppycocks, Local Tourism Guide: TraverseCityMI
Registration: Online Form, Location: Right Brain Brewery, Month: October, Race Distance: 5K, Nearby Attractions & Events: Grand Traverse Bay, Poppycocks, Local Tourism Guide: TraverseCityMI
Photo by Run Of The Dead, Syracuse, NY
Halloween Zombie Runs: Syracuse Run Of The Dead (Syracuse, NY)
Best For True Zombie Chase
Perhaps the most similar to actually being chased by zombies is the Syracuse Run Of The Dead in Syracuse, New York. The Run Of The Dead takes you through a hand-created obstacle course on wooded trails, with challenging obstacles and lots of mud. The race area is set in a forest and said to truly feel haunted and like something straight out of a horror movie. You will receive flags at the beginning of the race to serve as your “lives.” To stay “alive” you must make it through the race with at least one life to survive the zombies. The race is a great way to get into the Halloween spirit and to enjoy an evening of fall fun. If you’re not up for running, they also hold a half mile walk on a long trail through the forest with spooky things lurking around every twist and turn. After the race or the walk, all runners can stop into the after party for food, beverages, live music, and a bonfire.
Perhaps the most similar to actually being chased by zombies is the Syracuse Run Of The Dead in Syracuse, New York. The Run Of The Dead takes you through a hand-created obstacle course on wooded trails, with challenging obstacles and lots of mud. The race area is set in a forest and said to truly feel haunted and like something straight out of a horror movie. You will receive flags at the beginning of the race to serve as your “lives.” To stay “alive” you must make it through the race with at least one life to survive the zombies. The race is a great way to get into the Halloween spirit and to enjoy an evening of fall fun. If you’re not up for running, they also hold a half mile walk on a long trail through the forest with spooky things lurking around every twist and turn. After the race or the walk, all runners can stop into the after party for food, beverages, live music, and a bonfire.
Run Of The Dead Trip Tips
Registration: Online Form, Location: Syracuse Kickball Park, Month: October, Race Distance: 5K, Nearby Attractions & Events: Jake Hafner’s Restaurant, Museum of Intrigue, Local Tourism Guide: Visit Syracuse
Registration: Online Form, Location: Syracuse Kickball Park, Month: October, Race Distance: 5K, Nearby Attractions & Events: Jake Hafner’s Restaurant, Museum of Intrigue, Local Tourism Guide: Visit Syracuse
Content Writer and Social Media Coordinator. I paint, listen to music, and play with my dogs a lot. When I’m not doing all that, I love to read and try new things.
