FEATURE: ‘Zombies’ scare, chase 5K-run participants

FEATURE: ‘Zombies’ scare, chase 5K-run participants

By Alan Alvarez
Bridge Staff Writer
Published Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026

Zombies stretched their undead limbs to get limber, sat in golf carts and purchased food from vendors—all seemingly otherwise-everyday occurrences—on Saturday, Oct. 10, at Texas A&M International University. The Recreation Sports program hosted its sixth annual Zombie Run, which featured a 5K run and a zombie-themed run, bringing the Laredo community and students together to elude pursuing “undead.”

Strength and conditioning specialist Clarissa Guerrero was one of the key organizers of the event.

“I look forward to getting to see TAMIU students interact with [the] community and to getting to see my staff and the volunteers have fun,” Guerrero said. “That’s kind of the best part. We get to look back into the pictures of them really getting into their zombie roles. It’s really funny. We’ll look back sometimes and the shyest person is like doing the craziest thing.”

Participants lined up outside the Student Center to register for the event as coordinators instructed them where to go for their respective run. Zombie participants lay on chairs, waiting for further notice. Others purchased an official event T-shirt for $22.

“Always come in thinking, no matter how much you prepare for something, it’s gonna fall apart,” Guerrero said. “So, put out the fires and kind of let people have fun. That’s what prepares me to do things because nothing really goes [at] times. Just the idea that it’s not that deep; people are gonna have fun and that’s what matters.”

As an identical twin, Guerrero jokingly said that if she and her twin were participating, she wished the zombies “good luck”—“We’re different. You don’t know which one [I am].”

She also indicated that her favorite zombie film was Zombieland because it’s a classic that brings people to laughter.

Father-and-son duo Sergio Villareal Sr. and Jr. joined the race as family. They finished in second place and first place, respectively, in the Zombie Run. Villareal Jr. also won the 5K race.

“Honestly, I didn’t have a good mentality,” Villareal Jr. said. “I was already late and I hadn’t had a warm up or anything. So, I just thought, ‘Maybe I should just come here and do what I do.’ Do whatever you know. Coming into the first lap of the 5K, I was like, ‘I feel pretty good. I could pick it up and try to stay at least behind first place,’ and then I felt really good winning first place and I ended up passing [my dad]. I felt like [if] my mentality hadn’t been better, I would’ve done a lot better. I think, overall, I was having a good mentality.”

Villareal Sr. said his focus was to survive and follow the rules.

“It’s my first time [participating in] a race here, but races in general, no,” Villareal Jr. said. “I’ve been [competing in] races since my freshman year and I’m a junior now, but it’s my first time doing these activity races where there’s something in the middle to entertain you.”

Villareal Sr. added, “I’ve had several events in my history, but this is my first time doing this Zombie Run, which is awesome.”

Villareal Jr. agreed with Guerrero, “Zombieland because it’s a really cool movie.”

Villareal Sr., on the other hand, chose “The Walking Dead because it is a classic show with zombies in it.”

During the Zombie Run, some of the participants portrayed zombies, such as Lane Hatherton, Tristen Garcia, Eduardo Espinosa and Eiji Sawamura. Each worked to get deep into their character.

“It was a fun experience,” Sawamura recalled, following the event, after the winners were announced. He chose 28 Years Later as his favorite zombie movie.

Espinosa, who chose Zombieland as his favorite zombie flick, added, “I’ve never done something like that before and this is good to see people have fun in the moment.”

Garcia said, “I enjoyed encouraging people as they’re part of the 5K.” Garcia also chose Evil Dead Rise as his favorite zombie film.

“I think it was great to see people running with a community,” Hatherton said. He acknowledged The Walking Dead as his favorite zombie show.