rUNDEAD Comes to Post

By Hayley Rydowski
Staff Writer

LIU Post’s first annual rUNDEAD event will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, April 1. rUNDEAD is a trail run event that will raise money and awareness for Special Olympic New York, a charity that helps individuals with intellectual disabilities overcome obstacles through sports.

“I am excited about the opportunity to partner with Special Olympics and bring rUNDEAD to campus,” said Michael Berthel, director of Campus Life. “Our students have shown how passionate they are about performing service in the community, and we are proud of our students in Phi Sigma Kappa for taking the initiative in starting this program,” said Berthel. The office of Campus Life and Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity are collaborating to host this service project.

Runners may register at 9:30 a.m. on the day of the event or sign up in advance at http://tinyurl.com/LIUPOST-rUNDEAD. “The idea was to bring something new to campus that provided a fun opportunity to fundraise for a great cause,” said Arianna Livreri, Campus Life coordinator. 100 percent of the proceeds that are raised go to scientific research on cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. To date, rUNDEAD for Special Olympics has raised over $32,ooo.

Participants can register for either of two sections, “Escape the Virus,” which consists of two different running divisions, or “Join the mob,” which is the running division where registered participants dress up as zombies and can choose to run short distances or walk.

The two different runner divisions, which consist of five laps are “Fast Food” and “All You Can Eat”. The first division, “Fast Food,” is a competitive run at which each runner will start off with a flag belt and three flags. Zombies throughout the course will be attempting to take these flags one at a time. If you lose all three, you’re dead and the zombies have won. The second division, “All You Can Eat,” is a non-competitive run consisting of five laps, which participants can move at their own pace.

“Join the mob,” where participants choose to register as zombies, can either be “Hunters” or “Crawlers.” If you hope to be a zombie, there will be an event the week before in order to decorate the shirt for the day of the run. Participants are required to bring their own white shirt. Red, white and black paint will be provided. Also, there is a $10 donation to register as a runner.

At rUNDEAD, tables will be set up by Phi Sigma Kappa, WCWP Radio Station, Browse and other student run businesses as well as other student organizations. “I will be participating, as well as a few of my sister’s of Alpha Xi Delta. I plan on participating in the actual run and I cannot wait to support this wonderful cause! Special Olympics is something close and dear to my heart and I’m so happy I can participate in something so great!” said Katelyn Caraveo, art major and sister of Alpha Xi Delta.