LAKEWOOD —

Being chased by crazed, brain-eating zombies turned out to be great motivation for many attempting their first 5K obstacle- course race.

Participants in Saturday’s Run for Your Lives 5K in Rooney Valley had two options: Finish the obstacle course alive or be overtaken by 750 “zombies.”

Wearing belts similar to those worn in flag football, the 4,500 runners said it was an unexpected rush.

“It was more intense than any other race I’ve ever done,” said Nate Lerma, 34, of Greeley.

Lerma won the first heat, finishing the course in 30 minutes with one flag remaining on his waist.

The course featured 12 man-made and natural obstacles, including hills, mud, water — and plenty of blood.

Run for Your Lives hosts races across the country. Colorado was fourth among 12 in the 2012 Takeover Tour.

“The whole zombie thing has really blown up, and people can’t seem to get enough, so these races are huge,” said Crystal Soveroski, head makeup artist for the group.

A local crew of 15 helped Soveroski and her assistant throughout the day as they turned people into “zombies” and then let them loose on the course.

“People really, really commit to this,” Soveroski said. “They become the zombie, figure out a back story and don’t break character.”

There were two kinds of zombies: the stumblers and the chasers.

Linda Nordlander, 26, of Denver said she was excited for the opportunity to be a stumbling, blood-drenched zombie.

“I’ve never been a zombie before, but it sounded fun and the makeup is really cool,” Nordlander said.

Along with her friend Missy Masek, 30, of Denver, Nordlander said she was running the race after her zombie shift.

Although he lost all his flags, Shane Coberly, 31, of Littleton completed the first heat before anyone else by climbing, crawling and diving his way through, he said.

“This was my first obstacle course ever, and dodging the zombies was by far the most difficult part,” Coberly said. “Man, that was fun.”

The event brought out zombies and runners of all ages to test out the opposition’s skills.

“I think I have a 50/50 chance of survival, but I’m sure going to try,” said 52-year-old Peggy Woods of Winter Park.

No stranger to obstacle courses, Woods said zombies chasing her would be a first.

“It’s a great twist to really make sure you kick it into gear,” she said.

The day was all in good fun, but there were rules, such as no hitting or tackling. Zombies had to stay zombies.

“It could be easy to get a little carried away once all the action is happening, but everyone is told what is and isn’t OK,” Soveroski said.

Some runners didn’t know entirely what they were getting into and found themselves slightly intimidated by the course as they watched others while waiting their turn.

“There are a lot more steep hills than I thought there would be. People seem to be having a lot of trouble with them,” said Marissa Metcalf, 21, of Littleton.

Metcalf and friend Michelle Meyer, 22, of Wheat Ridge said they would finish the race but weren’t expecting to have any flags left.

“We’re being realistic,” Meyer joked.

Ryan Parker: 303-954-2409, rparker@denverpost.com or twitter.com/ryanparkerdp