A Night of Mixed Emotions
Review by Andrew Ibbott
As I took to short bike ride from home to the fort I was full of excitement for what would be an evening of firsts for me. This was the first time I’d done an event so local to me that I was able to ride along the cliff tops to get there, it would be my first event where zombies were involved and my first ever night run.
The pre communication told us to arrive between 5-7 (depending on how dark we wanted it to be when we ran). On route I got a preview of some of the zombies who seemed to love being in character, which was great. I passed lots of families with plenty of children dressed up in their own spooky costumes. It was still light so I headed into the fort to look around and wait for it to get a little darker. I wanted to get the full ‘apocalypse’ experience and when it was pitch black and no children were left on the course it was time for this to begin.
The start took us into the fort and we were led through some role play by a brave zombie hunting mercenary. He gave the course brief and set the first challenge, to retrieve an eye from a darkened room. Surprisingly to some this provided the first zombie encounter.
We were then sent on our way under the simple rules to follow the course markings, stay alive (by keeping the tags that had been given to us that the zombies would try to retrieve) and to then locate a marshal to gain an access card which would get us back into the fort.
We proceeded outside and into the darkness. We circled the top of the fort and then were off into the surrounding area. A mix of tarmac, gravel track, grass and narrow wooden paths created the course route. Lots of twists, turns and hills both up and down kept it interesting.
Then came the exciting bit – The zombies. Hours after starting they were still fully in role and still shocking, hunting and scaring all participants. I was loving it but sadly the fun was over all to quickly. They say time flies when you having fun but for me to do 5km in 12 minutes must have been fun overload! It was very disappointing to find out that the course was only 2km, not the 5km stated.
In fairness the organiser did say that we could go round again, and it probably still would have been fun but just not the same experience. They said that the course was shortened due to the amount of family groups that went round in the day and I think this sums it up perfectly. An event suited to families that want fun, scares and fitness all in one. The £60 family price also seemed much more reasonable than the £40 individual adult ticket.
It was still a great experience and one I had not had before. The unusual location made it unique too. It’s an event I would highly recommend to families but one that was over a little too promptly for adults, especially when expecting a 5km. Nevertheless, the medal was amazing.
Quirky Races 