Monsters typically possess their own means of transport, from a vampire's ability to turn into a bat to a mummy's ability to hitch a piggyback ride from an archaeologist. Practice otherworldly means of travel with today's Groupon: for $30, you get one entry to the Monster Dash on Saturday, October 22, taking place at The Badlandz in Crete (a $65 value). Entry also includes:
- A Monster Dash T-shirt and medal
- Parking
- Granola bars and bananas at the finish line
- A ticket for one beer
- A goodie bag
The Monster Dash sends athletes, encouraged to don costumes, racing on a ghoul-infested 5K, testing stamina, perseverance, and bravery in the face of 15 challenging haunted obstacles. The Halloween-themed course sets up a slew of challenges for the 3.1 mile jaunt, daring patrons to overcome obstacles such as the zombie-infested graveyard, an orientation-obfuscating corn maze, and eerie packs of grade-school gym teachers staring participants straight in the eyes. The hilly terrain's muddy slopes and rivers test athletic mettle, with a midrace water station keeping runners hydrated for the final leg of the course.
After successful completion of the specter-dodging race, runners refuel with granola bars and bananas before celebrating another year of successful candy-corn harvests at the post-dash party. Music and a free beer for each participant keep the party rolling until an awards ceremony closes out the day, with honors bestowed to the top male and female finishers in each age division, as well as prize for best costume. Racers leave the premises with a Monster Dash T-shirt, a custom medal, and a ghostly goodie bag, bringing back mementos of their spooky scamper for at-home holiday show-and-tells. The race commences in half-hour waves, from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., with the race and after-party concluding at 3 p.m.
