Halloween is fast approaching and to mark the occasion, the first ‘Contagion Run’ in Dubai will take place on Friday October 31. With registration deadline this Friday, organisers are encouraging people to sign up as soon as possible.

To be held at the Nad Al Sheba Bike Track in Dubai, you can take part as a survivor or dressed as zombie, with the aim to attract more people to exercise and show how fun the event is.

Bret Benson, organiser of the event, explains the format.

He said: “The zombies are assigned to a particular area of the course and are there to steal the ‘lives’ of the survivors, who need to make it to the next ‘safe zone’.

“To get there they need to make their way around the course wearing a belt with three flags.

“Each flag represents a life and they need to avoid having their ‘lives’ taken by the zombies.

“Survivors will expect to do some crawling, climbing, jumping and running in escaping away from the zombies.”

He added: “The only way you will know if you’ve survived at the end of the run is if you have at least one flag left on your belt.”

Similar zombie runs have been popular in the US, Europe and Asia, and Benson hopes it will be a hit in the UAE, saying it’s open to people of different abilities.

“Many countries have held this event on Halloween and it’s a great way of having fun on the day.

“We want everyone to join in whether you exercise regularly or not. It will be easy enough for people of all fitness levels but challenging enough to make sure everyone has fun. I want this to grow in the UAE.”

With Halloween falling on a Friday, Benson believes it’s a great chance to experience the event.

He said: “It is perfect for people who want to celebrate, dress up and have a bit of fun. We encourage people to get into the mood as much as possible. Be creative and dress up. The only requirement we have is that people who run the race as survivors do not dress up as zombies.

“The race is 16 years and above, but there will be events there for all ages, so we encourage people to come down with their families and kids as there will be a mini zombie course and photo booth as well.”

Entry fees vary accordingly.

If you dress up as a zombie, then entry fee is Dh50, while if you take part as a survivor it’s Dh300.

Register at www.premieronline.com or for more information visit www.contagionrun.com.

What: The Contagion Run
Where: Nad Al Sheba Bike Track, Dubai
When: Friday, October 31 at 16:00
Contact: www.contagionrun.com