Join the new ZR Virtual Race

Races are fun, aren’t they? Running alongside thousands of people, motivating yourself to run faster and train more. Getting up at 6am to travel to the race start. Queueing for the toilets. No wait, those bits are awful!

Which is why we’ve made the Zombies, Run! Virtual Race! It’s a 5 or 10k race in April that you can run wherever you are, with exclusive training and race missions! 

The story is set during the early days of the zombie apocalypse: a train has stopped in the Channel Tunnel, carrying five hundred souls on board… and one zombie. Saving them will take high-tech exoskeletons, the European Rescue Force, and you.

Your name? Rescue 5.

Not only do entrants get a fantastic running tee and a finisher’s medal, but you get issue 1 of the Zombies, Run! Comic!

Want to take part? Sign up now!

iOS + Android + Web Devs wanted!

We’re expanding our team at Six to Start to help make Zombies, Run! and our new Racelink platform better than ever, and we’re looking for senior iOS, Android and Web Developers

Six to Start is based in London, but all of these positions are open to remote workers. We pride ourselves on having a supportive and inclusive work environment that’s understanding with childcare. 

If you’re interested, please get in touch!

January Community Roundup

Six to Start News

  • Spring Virtual Race – The new Virtual Race is here! This time, a train has crashed in the Channel Tunnel, with 500 souls and 1 zombie onboard. You’ll be playing as Rescue Five, part the European Rescue Force, to save them. You can head over to our Virtual Race site for more info!
  • The Zombies, Run! comic book – With Kascha Sweeney’s fantastic artwork, we’re all really excited about how this comic book edition of Jolly Alpha Five Niner is shaping up. It’s exclusive to the Spring Virtual Race, and you can see a sneak preview here on our blog.
  • Introducing Racelink – We’ve just launched our new platform for charities and brands to create their own Virtual Races. You can read our Racelink blog post to learn more about it. Our first races are with the British Science Association for the free-to-enter Run the Solar System race and the Spy Virtual Race for Macmillan, both of which we’ve loved working on!
  • Season 6 release – You can look forward to more Zombies, Run! episodes in April. What exciting twists and turns does Season 6 hold? Well, that would be telling, but we just know you’re going to love it.

Art

Zombie Christmas Carols

Over on Rofflenet, some poetic Runners 5 were found singing Zombies, Run! themed Christmas carols. This is a small selection for you to enjoy!

By jozzowozzo, to the tune of Jingle Bells:

Dashing through the woods, Runners 4 and 6 by my side,
trying to run missions, while watching each other’s hides!
Moans from zombies ring, making our hearts race,
what fun it is to get to Abel before they close the gates.

Oh! Zombies, Run! We have fun,
keeping the zoms away,
collecting bras and tins of food
and ammo all the day!
Zombies, Run! We have fun,
keeping the zoms away,
keeping Abel safe and sound
from the undead scourge all day!

By sandpiper, with season one spoilers and to the tune of O, Christmas Tree:

O Runner 5, O Runner 5
How massive is thy backpack
You run so fast, or briskly walk
One thing’s for sure, you never talk
O Runner 5, O Runner 5
List’ning to Eugene and Jack

O Runner 5, O Runner 5
Much sports bras dost thou bring us!
With ev’ry mission, Runner 5
Helps Abel Township to survive!
O Runner 5, O Runner 5
Patrols the walls that ring us.

O Runner 5, O Runner 5
How strong thy glutes and hamstrings
You ran the night in Season One
When nearly killed by New Canton
O Runner 5, O Runner 5
Thy legs are sore and aching

O Runner 5, O Runner 5
Demons and Darkness world champ
Thanks to you, who are so nice,
We finally got 12-sided dice
O Runner 5, O Runner 5
Playing late by oil lamp.

O Runner 5, O Runner 5
Out dodging zoms by starlight
Sam Yao quite often has expressed
Of all his runners, you’re the best,
O Runner 5, O Runner 5
I bet you brought back Marmite.

By guyandd, to the tune of Frosty the Snowman:

Zombies are no fun,
They clutter up the place.
With their missing limbs
and their gruesome grins,
What a truly loathsome face!

Oh, Zombies are no fun
They are such a bloody pain.
Shambling here and there,
Somewhat unaware,
Runners chase and zoms are slain.

There just might be a hatchet,
In that backpack 5 just found.
And 5 get ready to use it,
Cause the Zoms are back in town!

Oh Zombies are no fun,
They aim to give us chase.
I’d like to sit and chat but
Grab your baseball bat,
we’ve got Zombies to displace.
We’ve got Zombies to displaaaace!

Fanfiction

At one point or other, we’ve all asked ourselves what Runner 5 is keeping in that notebook. The Notebook by Jazoriah answers that question, and weaves it into a story of how Abel Township will always pull together for someone in need.

Humid Summer’s Afternoon by Elford fills the gap between episodes 48 and 49. It’s a great piece, especially given it is their first submission to Archive of Our Own!

There’s never enough Archie Jensen in the world, and Friend in the Field by winterhill sees Archie and Runner 5 bonding after getting stuck outside overnight with injuries.

Unstoppable by Sie_TheRunner5 is a Season 2 re-write. It’s impressive in scope, and brilliantly written. It’s only 2 chapters in at the moment, so you can jump in now without playing catch-up!

Stay safe out there!

The ZR Book Club’s Final Week

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The Zombies, Run! book club is coming to an end this week, closing out with Your Ministry & You.

We’ll looking at the Ministry’s closing words, as well as discussing the appendices on how to build a ROFFLENET node and dealing with different kinds of zombies.

Though this is the last official week, these discussions will be open indefinitely over on our Goodreads group, and you can join in any time!

Haven’t got the book yet? You can still buy the signed hardback edition from our store, or purchase the paperback from Amazon or any good bookshop!

The Last of the Fall 2016 Tees

Sleek, stylish, and perfect for infiltrating a secretive pharmaceutical company – it’s the Fall 2016 Virtual Race shirt. Featuring an all-over dye sublimation print and wicking technology, they’re designed for runners. Plus, the long sleeve one has thumb holes. Fancy and functional.

The last few are now available in the ZR Shop, but stocks are limited. Be quick if you want one – sales must end on Sunday 15 January.

Head to the ZR Shop now to get yours!

The ZR Book Club: Fit for Survival & Food for Heroes

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The Zombies, Run! book club is back to discuss two new chapters!

After Christmas, we talked about getting Fit for Survival. That included what running supplies we needed, all-weather zombies, and training past 5k.

This week, we’ll be looking at Food for Heroes, with ways to control our cravings for snacks, foraging for food, as well as rigorous meal planning!

We’re now in our penultimate week, but don’t forget that these discussions will be up indefinitely, so you can jump in at any time!

Share your thoughts on these chapters over on our Goodreads group.

Haven’t got the book yet? You can still buy the special signed hardback edition from our store, or purchase the paperback from Amazon or any good bookshop!