If all goes as planned, hordes of zombies will run wild in the streets of the Village of East Davenport on Saturday, Oct. 29. At 10 a.m. that day the inaugural Fleet Feet Presents Village Zombie Run will step off for a good cause. A portion of the proceeds for the 2022 5K event will […]
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If all goes as planned, hordes of zombies will run wild in the streets of the Village of East Davenport on Saturday, Oct. 29.
At 10 a.m. that day the inaugural Fleet Feet Presents Village Zombie Run will step off for a good cause. A portion of the proceeds for the 2022 5K event will support Trinity Health Foundation's 3D Breast Cancer Screening Fund.
The costume-encouraged race is unlike anything the Quad Cities has seen before, organizers say. It’s “a timed, point-to-point, net-downhill route, beginning at Duck Creek Park and triumphantly descending upon the Village of East Davenport,” according to the event’s website.
Those wishing to participate are urged to sign up here by Sunday, Oct. 16, to be sure to get a signature limited-edition Zombie Run T-Shirt. Registration is $40.
Race packet pick-up will be from noon-7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 28, at Fleet Feet Davenport, 4257 Elmore Ave. Late registration and packet pick-up will be available at 7:30 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 29, at the basketball court in the East Village.
While fun is a central theme of the day – make no mistake – speed matters even for zombies. Top runners will receive first, second and third place prizes, according to the new race’s website. Runners also are urged to get their zombie on in order to compete for cash prizes in the best costume contest at the end of the race.
The Zombie Run replaces the Village’s former Lagomarcino’s Cocoa Beano run, which was discontinued.
“My event partner Brian Doerrfeld was approached by their group and asked if he wanted to take over two race opportunities – one in the fall (Cocoa Beano) and one in the spring (around Easter),” said race organizer Jesse Codling.
“Brian and I are old friends – I moved back to the Quad Cities last year after living in Seattle for 12 years to be closer to family after COVID happened,” he said, adding that the friends have reconnected.
“Brian knew I had a big background in marketing/design and building community events in Seattle and raising money for good causes – so when he came to me and asked if I would like to build a new family-friendly race in the Village with him I said ‘Absolutely!’” he added.
The day is designed to be fun, but the race is also designed to appeal to serious runners. “This is a timed event. We wanted to bring back interest to that elite level runner as well as families,” Mr. Codling said.
“The point-to-point run will start at Duck Creek park by the tennis courts, run past a cemetery on Belle Avenue and, go down spooky Elm Street and finish in the Village by Lagomarcino’s,” he added. “It's a predominantly downhill run – so it will be a fast course.” He hopes that will mean plenty of personal records or the Zombie Run 5K runners.
Why zombies?
When the pair began planning, Mr. Codling said creating a Halloween-themed event seemed like a no brainer. “I love old George Romero zombie movies and thought, how cool would it be to see a massive group of 'zombies' running a 5K – (plus creating a zombie costume is relatively a low cost),'' he said. “So I came up with the Village Zombie Run.”
Mr. Codling and Mr. Doerrfeld approached Fleet Feet’s owner Phil Young to be the presenting sponsor and he accepted. “I think we all see the potential in this race being a fun fall event for many years down the road,” Mr. Codling said. “I also have a family friend at Lagomarcino's and approached them to be the kids race sponsor and they accepted as well. “
The Zombie Run’s Lagomarcino’s Kids Run will take place at 8:45 a.m. on Oct. 29. Village of East Davenport shops also will also offer candy for kiddos and Lagomarcino's will host a caramel apple station at the finish line.
Post race, the event’s website says, the official 11/17 Afterparty will be in full swing featuring live music and drink specials. “When it’s time to zombie, we will party hard,” the website promises.
If you plan to go:
- Sign up by Oct. 16 to guarantee a limited-edition Village Zombie Run race tee.
- 11/17 will be hosting the official Village Zombie Run Afterparty featuring live music and drink specials.
- Top runners will receive 1st, 2nd and 3rd place prizes during this timed event.
- Trick-or-Treat stations – Participating Village of East Davenport Shops will be offering candy for kiddos at each local business after the run.
- Lagomarcino's will be hosting a caramel apple station at the finish line.
- A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the 3D Breast Cancer Screening Fund through Trinity Health Foundation.
- Sponsors: Fleet Feet (Presenting), Lagomarcino’s (Kids Run), QC Bank & Trust, IH Mississippi Valley Credit Union.
- Volunteers should email bdoerrfeld@yahoo.com.
- Website: VillageZombieRun.com.
- Register at www.getmeregistered.com/VillageZombieRun.
