# Apocalyptic Sport Experiences The Zombie Run Tests Participants' Survivor Mentalities By Meghan Young | Published 2014-12-17 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/zombie-run References: [thezombierun](http://thezombierun.com/) & [facebook](https://www.facebook.com/thezombierunner/) It isn't every day that a person has to run for their life and although that's a relief, the Zombie Run simulates an apocalyptic event to help [keep participants on their toes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/preparedness-inspired-fitness-classes). More of an experience than a run, this [sporting event](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lt-games) equips the 'human' runners with three flags, one of which has to make it with them to the finish line in order to qualify as a Zombie Run survivor. People risk losing their flags as they pass through certain [Zombie Run zones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/city-chase) that are infested with zombies. What makes this particular course exciting is the story line that accompanies it. Runners are told they have only one ally, Captain Jake Ballard, who has set up a camp in their city. If this camp is compromised, they must race 3.1 miles to a refuge. The Zombie Run plot will get people's heart's racing well before they start running. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.3/10 - Popularity: 42% | Activity: 79% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Sports](https://www.trendhunter.com/sports) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Apocalyptic Sport Experiences:** Opportunity to create immersive and thrilling experiences that simulate apocalyptic events for participants. - **Survivor Mentalities:** Demand for experiences that test individuals' survival skills and ability to think under pressure. - **Story-driven Sporting Events:** Growing interest in sports events that offer a narrative and immersive storytelling element. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Event Planning:** Opportunity for event planners to create apocalyptic-themed experiences and challenges for participants. - **Adventure Tourism:** Trend towards adventure tourism experiences that push individuals' limits and recreate survival scenarios. - **Fitness Industry:** Potential to develop fitness events that incorporate storytelling and gamification to engage participants. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Strategic Running Gameplay](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/battle-run.md) - [Immersive Halloween-Themed VR Experiences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/zero-latency-vr.md) - [Zombie Survival Challenges](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bullets-brains.md) - [Multi-Faceted Virtual Competitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/online-10k-challenge.md) - [Marathon-Inspired NYC Pop-Ups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bandit-x-asics.md) - [Running Lifestyle Capsules](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/run-city.md) - [Filmic Virtual Fitness Challenges](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/virtual-fitness-challenge.md) - [Immersive Virtual Marathons](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/virtual-marathon.md) - [Inaugural Demanding Fitness Competitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/worlds-toughest-mile.md)