Special Olympics Swift Current hosting Heroes versus Zombies Run on May 6
A portion of the Chinook Parkway will be the host location for a Heroes Versus Zombies Run on May 6 in support of Special Olympics Swift Current.
The fun morning fundraiser features one, two, five and 10 kilometre distances, with runners invited to costume up as their favourite hero or as a zombie.
“This year you can dress as a zombie or you can dress as a super hero, or your own personal hero like someone you look up to,” explained Carsen Schafer, a volunteer coach with Special Olympics.
The action gets underway on May 6 with the 10 kilometre run at 9 a.m., the five kilometre event at 9:15 a.m., with the one and two kilometre runs starting at 9:30 a.m.
Interested individuals are invited to pre-register in advance by sending an e-transfer to scsoexecutive@gmail.com along with their name and the distance they are interested in running. Advance entry fees, payable by April 30, are $50 for the 10 kilometre run, $40 for the five kilometre event, and $30 for the one and two kilometre runs. Runners registering on the day of the run will pay $55 for the 10 km run, $45 for the 5 km event, or $35 for the two short distance runs. Participants will be treated to a pancake breakfast following the run.
Next month’s event builds on the success of an inaugural Zombie Fun Run hosted back on October 29, 2022.
Schafer explained that funds raised during the
Heroes Versus Zombies Run will help support training for national, provincial and local events.
“There is a really strong presence of Special Olympics in Swift Current, and it’s kind of one of those things where people don’t really know about it all that much, or understand how far these athletes go and how hard they work.”
Among the activities local Special Olympic athlete train for include floor hockey, bowling, swimming, curling, baseball and basketball.
“They just work so hard, and we want to bring that to the attention of the city and show that it’s a big part of the community and try to grow a little bit more and get more people involved if we can. Or at least more people paying attention to us.”
A second fundraiser is set for Sunday, April 16 when Special Olympics Swift Current is teaming up with the Lyceum Theatre in Gull Lake for an afternoon showing of the movie “Champions”
Admission for the 5 p.m. movie showing is $10 per ticket, which can be purchased at the door, or pre bought for $10 (e-transfer to scsoexecutive@gmail. com) or picked up at Chinook Refrigeration at 122 10th Ave N.W. on Thursday or Friday. Half of the proceeds will go towards programs for Special Olympic athletes.
Schafer noted that one of his coach mentors gave him an inspirational reason for getting involved as Special Olympics volunteer.
“If you’re ever having a bad day, the best way to cure it is just to spend even an hour with some of these athletes. It’s always a positive environment. Everybody’s laughing. Everybody’s having fun and trying their best but still making fun out of it. It’s a good way to take a really crappy day and make it better.”