Faster than a police car–and zombies–Kevin O’Clair dashes toward the finish line at the Zombie Invasion 5K.
La Plata, MD – Halloween and the season premiere of the popular television show “The Walking Dead” gave the Charles County community a chance to do something wild to raise money for a great cause. On Sunday morning, Oct. 23 the fourth annual Zombie Invasion 5 Kilometer (K) was held, starting and finishing at Laurel Springs Regional Park.
Seeing scary-looking men, women and children running along the roadway on a peaceful Sunday morning, blood and heavy makeup disguising their faces, might prompt a high volume of calls to police. That, however, would have proven futile. For you see, the police were the organizers of the zombie gathering. The Zombie Invasion 5K is a race organized by the Charles County Sheriff’s Office, Charles County Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge 24 and Charles County Correctional Officers Association. The aim is to raise cash for Special Olympics Maryland.
According to Sgt. Gus Proctor, the Zombie Invasion 5K has raised over $65,000 in its four-year history. While Proctor was not sure the number of participants matched last year’s total, he told The BayNet that donations, especially those from the local business community, exceeded the 2015 total.
Prior to the race the runners and walkers who wanted to rock the course zombie-style had volunteer makeup artists from the Port Tobacco Theater on hand to give them the perfect look. Many others prepared themselves with their own creative costumes.
As for the 5K, several runners truly ran scared, posting impressive race times and winning medals, plaques and prizes as a reward for their performance. The top overall finisher was Kevin O’Clair of La Plata. The College of Southern Maryland student finished the dash in 18 minutes and four seconds. Right behind O’Clair was teenager Derek Pelzar, who logged a time of 18 minutes and 46 seconds.
Another teen, Michael Mead, completed the 5K course in 19 minutes and 23 seconds. The top female finisher was Coty Werkau, who logged a time of 26 minutes and 29 seconds.
Other awards were given to the Benjamin Stoddert Builders Club for being the Best-Dressed Team, Coordinated Movements for being the Top Team and Betty Grimes for being the event’s Top Fundraiser. The Best-Dressed Award went to a girl who only would identify herself as “Little Red Riding Hood.” She walked the course with her “Wolf/Grandmother” in tow. Police have not released Hood’s AKA.
Charles County Sheriff’s Office personnel also provided the racers with traffic control, a motorcycle escort during the race as well as fresh grilled franks at the finish line.
Race results will be posted sometime Monday afternoon, Oct. 24 on the Blue Point Timing web site.
For more information about Special Olympics visit their web site
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com
