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| COMOVE, which has held the "Zombie Run" since 2013, hosts the latest one at Lotte World Tower on Oct. 26. Courtesy of Zombie Runs Facebook |
By Ko Dong-hwan
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"Zombie Run," a sport event by Korea's COMOVE, invites participants to "survive" thousands of zombies by reaching the top of the country's highest building ― the 123rd floor ― in eastern Seoul's Songpa district.
Participants compete in groups of 15 to become sole survivors in zombie-infested Seoul. Runners must reach the tower's top where a rescue helicopter carrying vaccines for the zombie virus has crash-landed.
Each person is given three "life strings" that are tied to their waists. They must run from zombies coming for the strings, get the vaccine and take it to an "alive camp" while preserving at least one string.
The survival experience event on Oct. 26 sold out "super early bird" and "early bird" tickets earlier this month.
COMOVE says the event is part of its social campaign "We Are Zombies" that raises awareness of the importance of mental health. The social venture claims it is difficult for many with mental issues to share their problems with others and the event gives them an outlet.
"Many people in Korea suffer from mental difficulties like depression, obsession and anxiety disorder, which is like a zombie virus," COMOVE says.
"In this world where anyone can become such a zombie, we must help one another from becoming one. We deliver a message, 'Be Alive!'"
COMOVE says it will donate part of the event's profits to other mental health promotional campaign projects.
Held since 2013, "Zombie Run" is Korea's first zombie-themed sport event and has drawn over 100,000 participants in seven Korean cities.
