What would you do to survive if the dead began to walk—or worse, to sprint? Brave individuals can find out at Zombie Rush obstacle course. The apocalypse conveniently starts the moment runners set foot on the event grounds and receive the keys to their survival: three flags that the nearby zombies want even more than they want brains or a decent moisturizer. Participants must protect those flags while traversing five kilometers of muddy obstacles, ever wary of the shambling threats that lurk in the shadows. Alternately, they can sign up to be the shambling threats themselves, and have their zombie makeup applied by professional artists. No matter which faction they choose, everyone makes up afterward at the Compound, where beer is served, music is played, and performers re-enact thrilling perimeter breaches.

The frighteningly fun run is one of the many events put on by Ultimate Combatant, an organization specializing in challenging mud races. With a founder and staff made up of firefighters, fitness experts, and members of the armed forces, the company's races aim to test participants' physical and mental prowess.