SHAMOKIN - The zombies lurking along the streets of Shamokin Saturday afternoon weren't extras in a B-rated horror movie, but participants in the inaugural Zombie Run sponsored by Coal City Revitalization Inc.
Approximately 25 zombies chased an estimated 60 runners over a 2.7-mile trek through the city. The race had no winners - only victims and survivors.
Organizers were delighted by the success of the event,
which generated approximately $1,200 that will be divided between the Shamokin 150th Anniversary Committee, Shamokin Cemetery Board and Coal City Revitalization Inc., a local non-profit group dedicated to improving the community. Saturday's run followed last Saturday's initial Grave Robbers Run. That event, sponsored by the same organization, raised about $500.
"I'm thrilled by today's turnout," commented Matt Losiewicz, one of the chief organizers of both events. "We plan on making this an annual event. There are some scary people here, and everyone seems to be having a lot of fun. It's for a good cause, and we held it to help the community."
A team of makeup artists transformed ordinary-looking people into flesh-eating corpses who were set free all over the city. The goal for participants was to avoid being "tagged" by a zombie and being declared a "victim" before continuing with the sprint. Victims who were caught provided their bib numbers to differentiate the victims from the survivors.
AREA Services Ambulance personnel set off a siren that signaled the official start of the run.
Participants traveled west on Independence Street to Market, south on Market to Arch, west on Arch to Third, south on Third to Mulberry, east on Mulberry to Diamond, north on Diamond to High, east on High to Grant, north on Grant to Lincoln, west on Lincoln to Market, north on Market to Independence, and back to the lot.
Even though he was caught by a zombie at the first checkpoint, Ethan Lindermuth, 19, of Shamokin, was the first one to cross the finish line in an impressive 15 minutes.
"This is a great community event," Lindermuth said. "It's for a good cause, and I really enjoy running. Last week, our group finished last in the Grave Robbers Run after dealing with a very difficult clue, so we were determined to finish strong in this event."
Dan Comoss, 36, of Coal Township, who was decked out in zombie attire, added, "This is something fun to do while helping the community. I found out about it on Facebook. and I knew right away this was something I wanted to do."
Comoss, who is a big fan of zombie movies and shows like "Night of the Living Dead," "Dawn of the Dead" and "Walking Dead," was sporting a zombie tattoo on his left shoulder.
Kelly Mirolli, her 15-year-old daughter, Leah, her 8-year-old son, Luke, and their 14-year-old friend, Kendra Long, also participated as zombies.
When asked what prompted her to participate, Kelly Mirolli said half-kiddingly, "My family made me do it. It's something different, and it's for a good cause."
Long said her love of running prompted her interest in the event. She competes in track and cross country.
Pat Williams, 47, of Strong, said, "I love participating in community events, especially when they are for a great cause like this. I also enjoy running a lot."
Williams' friend, April Shaffer, 30, of Paxinos, asked, "Where else can you have fun like this with your friends and the kids? I enjoy physical activity and this is great. It fits right in with the Halloween season."
Losiewicz thanked all the participants, including the volunteer organizers, zombies, runners and vendors. There was a zombie photo shoot by Carriage House Studio, zombie face painting, food by Mother Cabrini Youth Center baseball team, Hillbilly Kettle Korn, a live radio broadcast by Y-106.5 and custom-made decor by Wedgetown Crafts.
He expressed appreciation for the cooperation of Shamokin City Council for covering Coal City Revitalization Inc. under its insurance policy and granting use of the city municipal parking lot on East Independence Street, where the run started at 1 p.m. and finished in about an hour. Losiewicz also commended city police and fire police for traffic control and AREA Services Ambulance personnel and Cub Scout Pack 3254 of St. John's United Church of Christ on Eighth Street for their assistance.
Losiewicz said Coal City Revitalization Inc. is planning more events, including an adult prom scheduled for early spring 2013 at Brady Fire Company.