Guthrie, Oklahoma — Billed as Oklahoma’s Premier Zombie Race, the 5K Zombie Run unleashed ravenous mobs of the undead onto sprinters in the streets of downtown Guthrie to raise money for children’s disease research. The 6 October dash featured runners navigating a 5 km (3.1 mi) course obstructed by limping, wandering, and sprinting zombies determined to snatch the runners’ lives, in the form of 2 bright orange flags each. The run was organized by promoter Guthrie Entertainment llc in coördination with the City of Guthrie.
Zombie Airman (II) — Oklahoma’s Premier Zombie Race: Zombie Bolt 5K, Guthrie, Oklahoma
The Race
The course began on a dirt track off of West 2nd Street, turning north before heading east on West Harrison Ave. It then looped around the courthouse, reversing back on Harrison and continuing to the starting location. The race featured three classes of undead: Wanderers, Limpers and Bolters.
The Zombies
Wanderers
These zombies wandered the length of the course but ignored the runners. They posed a threat only in that they might have inadvertently become obstacles.
Fast Zombie Girl (Zig-Zag) — Oklahoma’s Premier Zombie Race: Zombie Bolt 5K, Guthrie, Oklahoma
Limpers
Limpers remained mostly stationary, stumbling or standing close to an assigned course section. While they didn’t run, they were permitted to grab lives.
Bolters
The scariest class of zombies, these guys and gals chased after and often caught the racers. In fact, so many of the runners lost both lives before the halfway point that the zombies handed flags to returning runners to have more sport.
The Runners
The runners who lost their “lives” had the opportunity to cure themselves by obtaining a two-part “cure,” found at two “cure stations” on the courthouse loop. Racers who reached the finish line with either one flag intact or both cure parts collected were deemed survivors. NFC technology recorded every racer’s time.
The Slayer (IV) (Zombie Attack) — Oklahoma’s Premier Zombie Race: Zombie Bolt 5K, Guthrie, Oklahoma
Winners
Best time, male runner, went to Seth Smart. Alexandra Bingham took first place in the women’s division. Bruce Nobles won the “Most Scariest Zombie” [sic] title.
The Party
The After Life Party
Race participants and spectators later retired to the Drexel Music Hall for good company, good beer, and good music.
What Zombies Do in Their Leisure Hours — Zombie Bolt After Life Party, Guthrie, Oklahoma
Partygoers
About fifty partyers showed up for draft beer and conversation over the evening’s course. Participants included “Most Scariest Zombie” winner Bruce Nobles, who dressed as a zombie priest. When asked, Bruce confirmed that he was a Roman Catholic undead padre, so it was okay for him to consume alcohol.
The Secret Post
Hailing from Tulsa, The Secret Post claim influences from 80s punk, glam and new wave music. Frontman Zachariah Wiser kept the crowd enterained with his singing and playing, backed by bassist M, lead guitarist Aleks Zael, synth player Timothy DeCasper and drummer Nicoli. Visit Flickr for pictures.
M (II) — Zombie Bolt After Life Party, Guthrie, Oklahoma
Kill the Reflection
Oklahoma City’s Kill the Reflection are often found packing the house at the Blue Note Lounge. Describing themselves as post-punk, they performed a dark, brooding set marked by mid-tempo tunes with simple, repetitive riffs and angst-filled lyrics. I’ll post aboutI interviewed them and posted pictures from their later shows at the HiLo Club and the Blue Note here.when I finish processing the photos, so check back.
Kill the Reflection — Zombie Bolt After Life Party, Guthrie, Oklahoma
Gallery
The Gallery
Enjoy these selections from my race coverage. You can see more zombie coverage on my Flickr photostream. I’m shutting down my Flickr account due to their terms-of-service changes. You can view the rest of the zombie pix in these new posts.
Can’t Get Any Bars — Oklahoma’s Premier Zombie Race: Zombie Bolt 5K, Guthrie, Oklahoma