GORHAM, Maine – The University of Southern Maine women's cross country and track and field programs are hosting their third annual Zombie Run: Two Miles of Terror at the Shaw Cherry Hill Trails next to Sebago Brewing on Friday, October 14th. The event is co-sponsored by the teams, Gorham Outdoors Club, and Gorham Recreation.
 
The Zombie Run is a two-mile fun run on the trails of Shaw Cherry Hill Farm located behind the Sebago Brewing tasting room. Runners beware: terrifying ghouls will also be on the course. Participants are encouraged to dress in costume for the event. Awards will be given out to the top finishers and the best costumes. 90.9 WMPG will be on site and playing music as well.
 
In addition to the two-mile fun run there will be face painting for kids before the race and a special half-mile kids run with "spooky" distractions. Children are encouraged to come early to get their faces painted by the Performer's At Work (PAW), a USM student-run group dedicated to providing equal opportunities for students to engage in all aspects of the arts.
 
Interested participants are encouraged to pre-register using the link at the top of the story…if they dare! Entry fees are $10 per person for pre-registration or $15 for a day of the race entry. The kids run is free with no advanced signup necessary.
 
Registration and check-in begin at 5:00 p.m. followed by the kids race at 6:00 p.m. and the two-mile Zombie Run at 7:00 p.m. Awards and raffle prizes will be distributed following each race.
 
The Zombie Run: Two Miles of Terror is just one of the many Homecoming and Family Weekend athletic events at Southern Maine. USM Athletics will be hosting a Mocktail Social & Professional Networking event from 4:00-to-6:00 p.m. on October 14th at the USM Ice Arena. Participating students will be served by coaches from the USM Athletic Department and will practice the art of networking as they engage with USM alumni representing businesses from the greater Portland area.
 
Saturday, October 15 will be jam-packed with athletic action with home games for men's soccer (12:00 p.m.) and field hockey (3:00 p.m.), an alumni game for women's lacrosse (6:00 p.m.), and the annual Blue/White Men's Ice Hockey Scrimmage (6:00 p.m.). Saturday's slate of events also features the naming ceremonies of the Athletic Healthcare Facility in honor of David "Dusty" Drew and the Fitness & Wellness Center in honor of Joey Bouchard. The naming ceremonies will take place at 5:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. respectively at the Costello Sports Complex and a joint reception for the Drew and Bouchard families and friends will follow in the Alumni Reception Center. The night will conclude with the Athletics Reunion, a social and tradition building event held in the field house and will feature hors d'oeuvres, a cash bar and a short program discussing USM Athletics.
 
The final day of Homecoming and Family Weekend features a men's soccer non-conference match against Maine Maritime at 2:00 p.m. and concludes with the 36th annual Husky Hall of Fame Banquet & Induction Ceremony at the Sheraton Sable Oaks in South Portland, Maine at 5:00 p.m.
 
For more information on the weekend's events, head to southernmainehuskies.com and for details on the entire homecoming weekend, visit usm.maine.edu/homecoming.