The Zombie Chase Race at 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, will give runners a chance to complete a 5K race while being chased by a mob of zombies intent on stealing the flags that the runners carry on their body. Runners with at least one flag at the end will be considered zombie apocalypse survivors. The route is in and around the campus of Western Carolina University. The race is sponsored by the Student Physical Therapy Association of Western Carolina University, and proceeds will go toward supporting physical therapy research and community physical therapy services. 

$20 registration on active.com through Friday, Oct. 4; $25 day-of registration 2-3:30 p.m. A zombie after-party with live music, chicken wings and pizza will be held afterward at Tuck’s Tap and Grille in Cullowhee, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., $5 for racers and $10 for non-racers. Chris Garcia, 828.803.0552. 

The Chief’s Challenge at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 7, in Cherokee will benefit the Madison Hornbuckle Children’s Cancer Foundation, an organization that serves children with cancer in Jackson, Swain, Haywood, Cherokee and Graham counties. The 1-mile sprint from Phoenix Theaters along U.S. 19 through Cherokee will kickoff the 102nd Annual Cherokee Indian Fair. 

Online pre-registration is $15 with a $2.50 sign-up fee. Day-of registration open before the race. https://runsignup.com/Race/NC/Cherokee/ChiefsChallenge1MileSprint. Race director, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

The Legends & Tales 5K Run/Walk, hosted by Cherokee Runners, will take place 7:30 p.m. Oct. 11, the final day of the Cherokee Indian Fair, and take a course through downtown Cherokee. Proceeds will benefit the Cherokee Cancer Support Group and Cherokee Runners coaching programs. 

$20 online registration at active.com/event_detail.cfm?event_id=2133106 through Oct. 1; $25 registration after Oct. 1. Michael Henson, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or www.cherokeerunners.com.

Bethel laces up

The Bethel Half-Marathon and 5K will usher in fall with a scenic course through the rural Bethel community of Haywood County at 7 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 11. The race, organized by the Bethel Rural Community Organization, is famous for its post-race meal of homemade potato soup. Sanctioned by the Asheville Track Club, race times are submitted for the ATC Grand Prix Series. $25 for the 5K and $35 for the half-marathon. www.bethelrural.org/race or 828.734.4099.