Faces in the Forest: Zombie Edition - All you need to know!

The zombie apocalypse has broken out in Birmingham and Ruffner’s trails are infested with brain-hungry zombies. The only safe place is the abandoned mining village at the end of the “Outbreak” Trail.(Please note that all participants must be 11 years of age or older by November 1, 2014 in order to participate. The last thing we need are some baby zombies crawling on the mountain. Scary business.)

Although the lives of Survivors are threatened by Zombies and the Zombies are hungry for human flesh, no one should have direct or intentional aggressive physical contact with anyone on the course. Do not touch, hit, tackle, kick or anything else that may be harmful to the Zombies or Survivors. If you violate these rules, you will be automatically disqualified and escorted from the trails without refund.

Survivors will be given two lifelines, which are flags attached to the outside of the Survivors’ clothing and must remain visible to course officials while you are on the course. When a Zombie pulls off both lifelines, you are infected with the Zombie pathogen. Once infected, you must find a vaccination station along the trail to be given (purchase) more lifelines. You will be given two lifelines at registration. If during your outbreak the zombie horde claims all of your lifelines, fear not, all hope is not lost. Additional lifelines can be purchased for $5 per line or you can run to the nearest Vaccination Station. Anyone not abiding by these rules with your lifelines will lose their belt and all their lifelines.

Do not manipulate your lifelines (flags), they should be attached to the Velcro and hang freely. Runners will be checked by course stewards throughout the run. Zombies may be known for having rotting flesh, but we don’t want broken or damaged Zombie fingers as a result of runners who manipulate their flags to make them more difficult to remove. Likewise, however tempting it may be to do whatever is necessary for survival, Survivors should not hide lifelines inside of clothing. Lifelines stolen from other Survivors or picked up off the ground will not count. Survival is good, but having fun is better, so there’s no need to cheat. If you are caught manipulating or stealing flags, you will no longer be able to complete the course and you will be disqualified and not be given a medal.

There will be “Safe Zones and a Vaccination Station” on the course where you can seek assistance, if needed. Loss of all lifelines DOES NOT instantly transform you into the Walking (or running) Dead. Time is your enemy at this point and your only hope lies in finding a Vaccination Station prior to the finish line. Failure to cross the finish line with one lifeline still intact will be the death of you.

Safe zones will be designated throughout the course, which are off limits to the Zombie menace. An approximately 20 square-foot area and/or any HYDRATION station will be considered safe zones. Zombies cannot attack in these areas or on any obstacles. An additional safe zone of 10 feet in circumference will be located around a Vaccination Station. Course stewards will monitor all the safe zones.

The Zombies pose a threat to the Survivors, but neither should carry any weapons (real or fake) on the course. Similarly, pets should be left at home. Do you really want Fido trying to eat your brains while you sleep? Didn’t think so.

We understand that the zombie apocalypse probably counts as one of the worst days in human history, but please do not show up intoxicated. Zombies typically stagger without any help because their blood sugar is low from having to work so hard for a little brain, and Survivors need to have their wits about them if they’re going to survive. For these reasons, leave judgment-impairing materials, such as drugs and alcohol at home.

There will be beverages and food available for purchase at the abandoned mining village safety zone. After all, what safe zone would be complete without a trading post?

There will be a Gear Check available for participants so there’s no need to worry about your belongings while on the trail. We’ll make sure no Survivors get desperate for supplies and you won’t have to worry about the Zombies unless you’re packing brains, which, of course, we don’t recommend.

You’ll want to line up at least 15 minutes before your Outbreak begins. Outbreaks close five minutes after the first runners begin to cross the “Start” line. You must participate in the Outbreak that you are registered for.

You’ll want to have your Faces in the Forest race bib visible on the front of your clothes because you won’t be allowed to participate without an official race bib. Trust us, this is for your own safety. You wouldn’t want the Zombies to think you’re free food, now would you?

Survivors will want to work together with friends, family, and strangers. No one survives the zombie apocalypse alone. Zombies will be located throughout the course alone or in hordes. Their sheer numbers need to be considered when planning your strategy for survival. Costumes are both welcomed and encouraged. What better way to identify your team of family and friends and confuse the Zombies? And we encourage your participation in our costume contests.

Be sure to abide by all instructions given from the race directors, race staff, volunteers, and security. They’re there to help you since they too have a vested interest in surviving the zombie apocalypse. Failure to comply can lead to your instant removal from the event with no hope of a refund.

You wouldn’t run into a zombie-infested trail unprepared, so be sure to bring an official form of identification (drivers license, photo ID, etc.) or a parent/guardian if you are a minor. Entrance to the event is prohibited without it. After all, we’ll need to know who you are in case you’re lost to the hordes of Zombies.

A supply of brains for the Zombies to feast upon is limited, but our parking is even more limited. We highly recommend you carpool. Plan to arrive about an hour before your Outbreak to allow time for parking, registration, gear check, and locating the starting line.

Once registration is complete, no refunds will be given to Faces in the Forest: Zombie Edition.

Try to arrive early and stay late because, most importantly, we’re going to  HAVE FUN!