Photo Gallery | End of the Human Race zombie run invades Roanoke

by Anne Robicheaux

Despite the cold weather, there were plenty of warm bodies running for their lives at the End of the Human Race 5K, a zombie themed run hosted by Fusion Five, on Feb. 16 on the Tietje Farm, located on Farm Supply Road near Roanoke, La.

Organizers estimate that about 100 runners participated in the race – not including the “zombies” stationed at several points along the route. The race was held in a series of “waves,” with up to 25 runners starting the race every 15 minutes between 9 and 10:45 a.m. Runners wore flag football belts with the number of flags representing the amount of “life” each runner had left.

Prizes were given to runners for first, second and third place for males and first, second and third place for females. Zombies competed for the best costume award and for the most flags award.

Spectators at the race were treated to live music by the Lochness Mobsters, and local artist Danny Allain was also on hand to sell “zombified” portraits of patrons. Allain was also promoting his zombie outbreak comic book series “Dead Reckoning.”

April Altazan, an Executive Board Member with Fusion Five, called the event a success, and she said that they will likely hold the event again next year. All proceeds from the event will go toward providing future activities and guest speakers for Fusion Five members.

Fusion Five describes itself as an organization “created of and for young professionals in an attempt to change the social and economic landscape in Southwest Louisiana.”

The group was formed in 2007 and is directed toward young people just graduating college or just entering the workforce.

Sponsors for the event included the following: Acadian Ambulance, Ad Source Outdoor Advertising, Anytime Fitness, the Arts and Humanities Council of SWLA, ASI Office Systems, Burt and Mary Tietje, CSE Federal Credit Union, Cumulus Broadcasting, Dead Reckoning, Digikast, Dr. Eric Snow, E2E Technology, Emily Fusilier Photography, Entergy, First Federal Bank, Fusion 5, Hand Painted Kites, Iberia Bank, Jeff Davis Bank, Killerwebsites.com, Lagnaippe, Lake City Printing, Lifeshare Blood Center, Louisiana Mortgage, Louisiana Radio, O’Charley’s, Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt, Painting with a Twist, Project Fit, Road ID, Southwest Beverage, Strong Point Enterprises, Thrive, Track Star Photo, Troy Trahan Construction, Ultimate Performance Sports and Rehab and U.S.S. Orleck.

For more information on the event, visit http://endofthehumanrace.com/ or email endofthehumanrace@gmail.com .