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Zombie Scramble
Zombie Scramble 2026
Zombie Scramble October 17
Celebrate a decade of the undead at the 11th Annual Zombie Scramble! Registration officially opens on August 10.
This thrilling event challenges you to make it through a zombie-infested course with your “lives” — represented by flags on a flag football belt — still intact. As you navigate the haunted trail, zombies will try to snatch your flags.
Are you ready to run for your life?
Zombie Scramble Online Only Registration
- Zombie Scramble registration period: opens 9am on August 10
- All Zombie Scramble registration ends 9am on October 11
- T-Shirts are no longer provided with registration.
- Your ticket to entry is a wristband provided at check in.
Zombie Scramble Refund Policy
- No Zombie Scramble refunds are provided unless event is cancelled by event organizers prior to event day
- Voluntary Cancelation: Should participants voluntarily choose not to participate, or are unable to participate for reasons out of the control of the event (including, but not limited to injury, illness, personal matters, work conflicts, etc.), refunds will not be issued.
Zombie Scramble Participant Information
- Participants should register for the wave time they wish to participate. Contact zombie@cityofevanston.org with any questions or issues with registration.
- All participants wishing to run the Zombie Scramble course must be registered.
- The event will begin south of the Rotary Friendship Garden in the Ladd Arboretum. (Please see the map for the course route).
- All participants will need to sign a liability waiver, online registration system will prompt a signature.
- The event is for participants ages 8 and up.
- We encourage you to bring a flashlight, water, and snacks for the scramble. Please do NOT shine your light directly into the eyes of the zombie volunteers.
- Please make sure to answer the questions asked during the registration process.
- Please make sure to provide a valid email address at registration, email will be the primary way we will contact you regarding the event.
- The scramble course is approximately two miles.
- Check-in for the scramble will be held in the parking lot across from the Ecology Center located at 2024 McCormick Blvd. Check-in will begin 20 minutes before your scheduled wave time.
- There will NOT be a gear check available.
- Please call the weather cancellation hotline at 847-448-8253 after 3pm on October 17 if there is inclement weather.
- There will be two challenge stops throughout the course. Runners must stop and complete the challenges. In the event of wind gusts over 15 miles per hour, the challenge stops will not be inflated.
- First-aid and bathrooms will be available in the parking lot across from the Ecology Center. There will also be portable restrooms, first-aid, and water stations located on the course at the two challenge areas, as well as portable restrooms located in the parking lot by the starting line.
- There will be a post-scramble party near the check in area, parking lot across from the Ecology Center, where families can enjoy local food available for purchase at food trucks and free s'mores.
- At the finish line, individuals finishing with a life intact (a flag) will receive a Zombie Scramble "survival" certificate.
Parking
All participants are encouraged to park at Ingraham Park at 2100 Ridge Avenue. A shuttle bus will be available to take participants to and from the event starting at 2:30pm and ending at 10pm. Parking will not be allowed in the parking lot located on McCormick and Bridge Street and street parking will be limited. Walking, biking, and public transportation are also recommended.
Check-In
Check-in will be done individually and alphabetically by last name.
Please be aware that for a participant to enter the event course we must have a signed liability waiver. If we do not have a liability wavier they will not be allowed to take part in the scramble. Participants under the age of 18 must have the liability waiver signed by their guardian.
Check-In Times
Please arrive 20 minutes before your run time.
Volunteer Information
Sign Up to Volunteer Here
Thank you for volunteering for the 11th annual Zombie Scramble, we could NOT host this event without you.
Course Map
Zombie Scramble FAQ
Each participant will receive two “lives” represented as flags attached to a belt you will wear
around your waist. Your job is to protect your “lives” from the zombies. If you happen to lose
your two “lives” you will be infected, but still finish the race!!
around your waist. Your job is to protect your “lives” from the zombies. If you happen to lose
your two “lives” you will be infected, but still finish the race!!
Please return your flags and belts to the finish line staff after completing the race to receive
your certificate.
your certificate.
Parents and guardians are welcome to wait behind the Ecology Center by the fire pits. The
finish line is in this area. It should take your child approximately 30-45 minutes to go through the
course (it is just under 2 miles, so some participants may finish faster). There is also an area by
the starting line for you to watch your runner take off and ½ way through the course at Bridge
Street to watch your runner.
finish line is in this area. It should take your child approximately 30-45 minutes to go through the
course (it is just under 2 miles, so some participants may finish faster). There is also an area by
the starting line for you to watch your runner take off and ½ way through the course at Bridge
Street to watch your runner.
There are games, activities, and photo areas available in the activity hub (McCormick Parking
Lot). We will also have food and beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) available for purchase
thanks to local food trucks.
Lot). We will also have food and beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) available for purchase
thanks to local food trucks.
Find a staff member in a safety yellow vest and give them as much information as possible. If
we are unable to find the item we will take down your information and contact you if the item is
found.
we are unable to find the item we will take down your information and contact you if the item is
found.
We will have paramedics on site that will be mobile. Please notify or have someone in the group
notify a staff member and they will come to you.
notify a staff member and they will come to you.
There will be several safe zones throughout the course where zombies will not be present. Also,
at each challenge station, there will be water stations and a chance to catch your breath.
at each challenge station, there will be water stations and a chance to catch your breath.
There will be 2 challenge stations that will be clearly marked throughout the course. We do
hope that everybody will attempt the challenges, but it is not required. Please note that both of
the stations require participants to take off their shoes (there will be tarps laid out on the ground
for you to walk on). The challenges are inflatable obstacles, in the event of wind gusts over 15
miles per hour, we will not be able to inflate the obstacles.
hope that everybody will attempt the challenges, but it is not required. Please note that both of
the stations require participants to take off their shoes (there will be tarps laid out on the ground
for you to walk on). The challenges are inflatable obstacles, in the event of wind gusts over 15
miles per hour, we will not be able to inflate the obstacles.
Our zombies are instructed to break character if a participant indicates to them they are scared.
Simply ask the zombies to break character, and if needed they can escort you to the next
course marshal. The course marshal will have a radio and, if necessary, we can send staff to
pick you up.
Simply ask the zombies to break character, and if needed they can escort you to the next
course marshal. The course marshal will have a radio and, if necessary, we can send staff to
pick you up.
Participants should bring a flashlight to use on the course (please DO NOT shine these lights
into the zombie’s eyes). Participants should also turn in the signed liability waiver. For
participants under the age of 18, the waiver must be signed by a guardian.
into the zombie’s eyes). Participants should also turn in the signed liability waiver. For
participants under the age of 18, the waiver must be signed by a guardian.