Zombie Run

Posted on by mskellyfitz

Indonesia reached a new level of awesome today thanks to Babel Entertainment (Babel = Bangka-Belitung, my province) and the epic Zombie Run that they held at BBG (Bangka Botanical Gardens) this morning. This event combined some of my favorite things: loud music, getting dirty, beautiful nature, communal exercise, lot of laughter, and — of course — zombies. I had seen posters for this event on the wall in my favorite kopitiam [coffeehouse] and bought tickets for it earlier this week. I’ll let the pictures do the talking.

The poster that first got my attention. I bought two tickets got a discount since I befriended the seller before buying. Yeah Indonesia!
The poster that first got my attention. I bought two tickets got a discount since I befriended the seller before buying. Yeah Indonesia!
Mobs of runners ready and waiting at the start line. A light drizzle added ambiance to the event, though the sun quickly burned through the clouds and we had beautiful blue skies later on.
Mobs of runners ready and waiting at the start line. A light drizzle added ambiance to the event, though the sun quickly burned through the clouds and we had beautiful blue skies later on.
Making new friends and taking lots of selfies while we wait to start.
Making new friends and taking lots of selfies while we wait to start.
Ready to run!
Ready to run!
It turned out that the Zombie Run was more like a Walk and Run If There Are Zombies. I was pumped up on adrenaline and quickly found myself at the front of the pack, running with the boys. I'm not terribly in shape but I was enjoying the exercise. These signs (conveniently posted in English!) and the guy with the walkie-talkie showed us the way.
It turned out that the Zombie Run was more like a Walk and Run If There Are Zombies. I was pumped up on adrenaline and quickly found myself at the front of the pack, running with the boys. I’m not terribly in shape but I was enjoying the exercise. These signs (conveniently posted in English!) and the guy with the walkie-talkie showed us the way.
"Don't Believe" apparently means "Don't Enter." We started running this way but then walkie talkie guy called us back and directed us down a small dirt path overgrown with grass. Let the games begin!
“Don’t Believe” apparently means “Don’t Enter.” We started running this way but then walkie talkie guy called us back and directed us down a small dirt path overgrown with grass. Let the games begin!
We were running for our lives, but there was still plenty of time to stop for a selfie.
We were running for our lives, but there was still plenty of time to stop for a selfie.
The Zombie Run went above whatever expectations I had. There were plenty of zombies on the route, and a few got some good screams out of me.
The Zombie Run went above whatever expectations I had. There were plenty of zombies on the route, and a few got some good screams out of me.
Even zombies are game for a selfie... This is still Indonesia, after all.
Even zombies are game for a selfie… This is still Indonesia, after all.
The Zombie run had obstacles in addition to zombies. Here we had to scale pyramids made out of sticks. Other obstacles included swinging on a rope over a mud pit (I fell in), running over tires, crawling under cargo nets, and jumping over hurdles.
The Zombie run had obstacles in addition to zombies. Here we had to scale pyramids made out of sticks. Other obstacles included swinging on a rope over a mud pit (I fell in), running over tires, crawling under cargo nets, and jumping over hurdles.
There was even a haunted house/maze. Yes!
There was even a haunted house/maze. Yes!
The final obstacle was wading through chest-deep water to get to the finish line. Unexpected but DEFINITELY fun. The fact that there are crocodiles and monitor lizards (I have personally seen the latter) in these waters makes it all the more exciting.
The final obstacle was wading through waist-deep water to get to the finish line. Unexpected but DEFINITELY fun. The fact that there are crocodiles and monitor lizards (I have personally seen the latter) in these waters makes it all the more exciting.
Wading in the water selfie.
Wading in the water selfie.
I was one of the first ten people to finish, and these were my incidental running partners. I have never met them before but in Indonesia I have found that it is easy to feel like you are close friends with people moments after meeting them. They are students and Caitlin's school and we had a blast.
I was one of the first ten people to finish, and these were my incidental running partners. I have never met them before but in Indonesia I have found that it is easy to feel like you are close friends with people moments after meeting them. They are students and Caitlin’s school and we had a blast.
As if a Zombie Run wasn't enough, the festivities continued with a Zombie Rave... at 10 in the morning. The zombies all came out to take a bow and then the DJ started playing some music that reminds me of what I danced to at Bonnaroo until the sun came up. And boy did we dance! Me, zombies, my running buddies, and even a few students from my school (my classes too!) were there to get wild and crazy with some zombies. I hope they (my students) can still take me seriously at school after seeing their teacher covered in mud and shimmeying around with some zombies.
As if a Zombie Run wasn’t enough, the festivities continued with a Zombie Rave… at 10 in the morning. The zombies all came out to take a bow and then the DJ started playing some music that reminds me of what I danced to at Bonnaroo until the sun came up. And boy did we dance! Me, zombies, my running buddies, and even a few students from my school (my classes too!) were there to get wild and crazy with some zombies. I hope they (my students) can still take me seriously at school after seeing their teacher covered in mud and shimmeying around with some zombies.
Gettin wild and crazy... with zombies.
Gettin wild and crazy… with zombies.
Last call for selfies before the rave ended!
Last call for selfies before the party ended!

6 thoughts on “Zombie Run”

  3. Hi Kelly,
    Happy Thanksgiving wherever you are. I’m thankful you are my daughter. We’ll be pulling out your big turkey decoration for tomorrow. Mommy loves you. XXXO

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    1. Happy Thanksgiving to you too mumzie! Tonight we have English club with the neighborhood kids and we will have them make hand turkeys which they will use as feathers on a bigger turkey. Lately we have been having over 30 kids, so I bet our turkey will be pretty big tonight! Love you, KJ

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