Kappa Sigma will host the Kappa Sigma Zombie Run, a .7-mile race, on Oct. 25 at 6:06 p.m. to raise money for the Fisher House Foundation, an organization that provides residences for veterans and families of those in the military who are being treated at a military medical center.
The race will start at the Shark Fountain circle, go around Gold Circle Lake, pass the Carl DeSantis Building and Alvin Sherman Library and end at the Don Taft University Center spine.
The event will also feature free food and refreshments, along with entertainment from Radio X. Makeup artists will be available to help participants perfect their look in exchange for a donation.
The race’s first, second and third place finishers will win trophies. Trophies will also be awarded to the best male zombie and the best female zombie. Participants must be dressed like zombies
to win.
Steve Chiarelli, first-year master’s in leadership student and Kappa Sigma alumni, had the idea for the zombie run. He was inspired by other NSU events like the Shark Shuffle 5K Run/Walk.
“These events are such a huge success, so why not start one ourselves to help further our philanthropic cause?” he said. “You’re guaranteed to have a great outcome and everyone has a good time.”
His original idea was to set up an obstacle race with mud. He changed his mind when he saw a video of a zombie run in London.
“I thought, ‘This would be a good idea. Everyone can come and dress up, and zombies are cool,’” Chiarelli said. “I figured it would be a good, simple way to get a lot of people to get to know the Fisher House.”
Kappa Sigma President Christopher Mignocchi, senior exercise science and legal studies major, said the fraternity wanted to host a new kind of event, different from their traditional strongman competitions and date auctions.
“The original idea was just to get some good pictures of people looking like zombies running down the roads and running through the UC, but it’s developed,” Mignocchi said. “It’s going to be a serious [philanthropic event].”
The chief program of Kappa Sigma’s national charity is the Military Heroes Campgain, which donates money to nonprofit organizations that help veterans and their families. Mignocchi said the fraternity has a duty to help veterans.
“We have four veterans currently in our chapter, so it definitely hits home a little more for us,” Mignocchi said. “It’s something that the fraternity nationally is very supportive of, so as one of the chapters, [we are] following suit.”
Chiarelli said he hopes to make the zombie run a tradition.
“You get to dress like a zombie, you get to have fun with your friends and support a great cause,” Chiarelli said.
In keeping with the race’s quirky spirit, check-in won’t begin at a typical time. It will start at exactly 5:03 p.m. Registration is $10 for individuals and $35 for a team of five. For more information, contact Chris Hoffman, grand scribe of Kappa Sigma, at ch1279@nova.edu, or visit facebook.com/nova.kappasigma.
