The third annual Zombie 5k Run hosted by the Society for Human Resource Management, took place on Oct. 31 at 1 p.m. on the Panther Trail.

The event started in 2013 as a school project, but grew into a fundraiser for multiple sclerosis when the former president, said she lived with the disease, according to the Zombie 5k Run website.

Multiple sclerosis is a disease of the central nervous system that hinders the flow of information within the brain and between the brain and body, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society website.

The SHRM decided to dedicate the project to her.

Christian King, president of the SHRM, said all the proceeds from the run go to raise awareness for multiple sclerosis and donated to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

James Bearden, a senior business administration major, who registered as a zombie runner, said the run was a great idea.

“It’s a learning experience because it increases awareness about multiple sclerosis and gives someone the opportunity to see how it affects the people around you,” Bearden said.

The race consisted of participants who registered as runners or as zombie runners.

Those registered as runners only had to pay $10 and those who registered as zombie runners paid $15.

Cheyanne Austin, a sophomore family and consumer sciences major who registered as a runner, said, “I like the support that goes both ways. I get a little exercise and they get a donation to a good cause.”

At the start of the run, participants were given three different colored flags that they hung from their waist. Those flags determined the runner’s survival status.

If the runner had all or most of their flags they survived the zombie run, if they lost all their flags they did not survive.

There were also three different colored zones matching the colored flags that runners ran through as well as “quarantined areas” that were considered safe zones.

At each zone, the zombies had the opportunity to pull the colored flag from the runner’s waist for that respected zone King said.

Runners also had to flee from registered zombie runners who could only pull the pink colored flag if they caught up to the runners.

Nina Byrd, sophomore business major and member of the SHRM, said the run was for a good cause.

“That’s one of the most important parts about it,” Byrd said.

Randi Rogers, a junior business major, also said it was for a good cause, but the cause hit home.

“My uncle has multiple sclerosis and it’s more important for me,” Rogers said. “I really like that it’s for multiple Sclerosis.”

Josh Wall, a senior management major and member of the SHRM, said if it is a good race and for a good cause then it is a good outcome.

Volunteers from the theatre arts department painted the faces of the zombie participants.

Marisa Foglia, a sophomore English and theatre arts major, was one of the volunteers and is currently diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

“I’m glad that I’m able to help in any way that I can because I know the people who struggle with it and what they deal with,” Foglia said.

Foglia also said she hopes the money they raise will help find better treatment for multiple sclerosis.

This year, through the contributions from the participants in the race and through donations, the group raised over $500 for multiple sclerosis.

Analicia Haynes can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].