Q: My family just moved to the area and now that fall is here, we are looking for a fun road run our kids can do on the northside. Do you have any recommendations?
A: You should consider the Zombie Fest 5K and one-mile fun run in Canton at Etowah River Park on Oct. 12.
This will be the sixth year for the run.
As you run through the woods, you will encounter “zombies” along the course to get your heart pumping more. There will be 300 volunteers who dress up as zombies.
“We really do have nice zombies, they won’t touch or hurt you, they are just fun,” said Sonia Carruthers, Founder/CEO of Cherokee Focus, the nonprofit that is organizing/hosting the event. “The runners actually love the zombies. They come up with creative ways to stand out.”
Only runners are allowed to go through the zombie woods.
From Etowah River Park you will follow the paved path to the bridge and through the zombie-infested woods. Coming out of the woods you will round Heritage Park and then it’s back through the woods at dusk.
Last year there were 8,000 people who attended the festival, but this year, according to Carruthers, “we are scaling down.”
It is actually two events in one. You have a festival with costume contests, bands, a DJ and food trucks, plus the runs.
“A lot of work goes into the (zombie) costumes for the contest. They’re phenomenal. The people that come out have put in a lot of time into those costumes,” said Carruthers.
"The kids just want to get on the stage to show off their costumes," she said. "That what we love about the event. It's about people watching. Come dress as zombie. It's fun to take pictures of each other."
The goal of the event to raise awareness of drug abuse and suicide. The slogan is “Raising awareness by raising the dead,” Carruthers said.
Go to Active.com or Georgiazombiefest.com to register for the Canton run. Race day registration and packet pickup begins at 5:30 p.m. The one-mile walk, run, creep or crawl starts at 7 p.m. The 5K starts at 7:30 p.m.
Etowah River Park is located at 600 Brown Industrial Parkway, Canton, 30114
New to town or simply have a question about this place we call home? Email your request to atlactualfact@gmail.com.
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