Zombies will walk in Tacoma this Halloween | Community Spirit

What was that noise?

No, over in those bushes.

That one.

Could it be ... one of the infected?

If so ... what next?

These are the questions you'll be asking yourself this Halloween in Tacoma, as you're chased by zombies through the streets of North Tacoma during ELEV8 Fitness's inaugural Dawn of the Dead Dash.

Humans and zombies will tear through Proctor area parks on Oct. 31, humans doing their best to make it through a series of checkpoints alive, while zombies work to add to the race of undead.

ELEV8 Fitness owner Kjersten Salzman and trainer Rich Thompson first started to think about a zombie-themed run about six months ago. Inspired by other zombie-infested obstacle course races like Run For Your Lives (coming to Onalaska, Wash. next August), they began planning the "free form urban obstacle course" for Halloween.

The obstacles will be organic, says Thompson, like making it through certain areas without being tagged by zombies, and the race should be fairly physically demanding.

"My guess is that after this event and the adrenaline of having zombies chasing you through the dark, heart rates are going to be pounding and blood pressure will be up for sure," he says.

Participants will arrive at the "quarantined headquarters" (ELEV8 Fitness) at 7 p.m. Oct. 31 for the race. Racers who know their way around North Tacoma will end up running about five kilometers. Others may end up running much farther. Humans have two hours in which to make it around to each checkpoint.

The goal, of course, being to avoid getting "zombified."

Participants are asked to wear white shirts, so they can be tagged with fake zombie blood. Once they've been tagged, they become part of the horde, donning glow necklaces to help create other zombies. Prizes will be given to the first humans to make it back alive.

Thompson said he and Salzman wanted to add something to the roster of Halloween activities in Tacoma without competing with other events. As far as they know, it's the only race of its kind in the South Sound.

"We wanted to do something for the community," said Thompson. "Support some other local businesses that might need foot traffic."

Some of those local businesses are House of Tattoo and Metronome Coffee - both are hosting race after parties.

Don your best white shirt, and do some stretches - but leave the crossbows at home.

What: Dawn of the Dead Dash

Where: ELEV8 Fitness, 3403 N. Proctor St.

When: Monday, Oct. 31, 7 p.m.

How much: Registration is $20 per person online or in person the day of the race. Or, because we love you (and deals!) so much, sign up for just $8 with today's LivingSocial deal.