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Zombie Run

💰 £200–£600 ⏱ 1 Day 📊 Intermediate

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What is it?

A Zombie Run is a thrilling, Halloween-themed 5k obstacle course where participants are chased by volunteers dressed as zombies. Runners wear flag belts (like tag rugby), and zombies try to steal their flags before they reach the finish line. It is one of the most exciting and unique fundraising events you can organise, and it attracts a wide audience of teenagers and young adults who want a fun, active experience.

What you need

  • A suitable outdoor venue such as a park or woodland (with permission from the local council or landowner)
  • Flag belts for all participants (can be borrowed from a local rugby club)
  • Zombie costumes, face paint, and fake blood for volunteers
  • A clearly marked 5k route with obstacle stations
  • A registration system (use Eventbrite for online ticket sales)
  • First aid provision (a qualified first aider must be present)
  • Prizes for the best zombie costume and the last survivor

Step-by-step plan

1
Choose a suitable outdoor venue and get written permission from the landowner or local council at least 6 weeks in advance.
2
Design a 5k route with 4–6 zombie ambush points. Mark the route clearly with tape, cones, or signs.
3
Recruit at least 10–15 volunteers to act as zombies. Brief them on the rules: they can only steal flags, not touch runners.
4
Set up an online registration page on Eventbrite. Charge £8–£15 per runner. Offer a small discount for groups of 4+.
5
Promote the event heavily on social media, at school, and in local community groups for at least 4 weeks before the event.
6
On the day, brief all zombies and runners on the rules. Ensure all participants sign a waiver.
7
Run the event in heats of 20–30 runners to avoid overcrowding on the course.
8
After the event, count your takings, thank your volunteers, and share photos on social media.

How to advertise it

  • Create a dramatic promotional video or reel for TikTok and Instagram showing the zombie costumes and course
  • Post in local community Facebook groups and school parent groups
  • Put up posters at local sports clubs, youth clubs, and schools
  • Ask local newspapers to cover the event as a human interest story
  • Offer a "last survivor" prize to create competitive buzz

Realistic earnings

With 50 participants at £10 each, you can raise £500 before costs. Costs are minimal if you borrow flag belts and make your own zombie costumes. A well-promoted Zombie Run can realistically net £200–£600 profit.

Top tips

✅ Make the zombie ambushes genuinely scary — the more dramatic, the more people will share on social media
✅ Offer a "Zombie Upgrade" option where participants can pay an extra £5 to become a zombie instead of a runner
✅ Have a photographer on the course to capture action shots — sell prints or digital downloads afterwards
✅ Partner with a local sports club to borrow their venue and equipment in exchange for a mention in your promotion

Common mistakes to avoid

⚠️ Not getting landowner permission in advance — this can result in the event being shut down on the day
⚠️ Underestimating the number of volunteers needed — you need at least one zombie per 3 runners
⚠️ Not having a first aider present — this is a legal requirement for public events
⚠️ Forgetting to ask participants to sign a liability waiver