This year the Harbin race series replaced their annual Zombie 5K with the Harbin Hero Hustle. This race is a large improvement over the Zombie 5K. The Zombie 5K, while run, had some danger in it as the zombie volunteers went too far in the past and knocked runners over. This year the participation was a lot better with a large number of people dressing as their favorite super heroes and villains for the costume contest prior to the start of the 5K and fun walk. I have not done a race in Rome since May, so it was great to see that a lot more people are participating.
The course, while similar to the zombie 5K, now includes a large uphill mid mile two that was not expected. If you run often this will be a semi fast race for you with the exception of the hill. The course is well marked and wide with plenty of room for passing and one water station. This race was very well organized, you can instantly check your time and place after the race and the organizers let everyone know when the medal ceremony would be instead of the norm of waiting round for it to start.
Packet pickup is available the day of or the day before. You get a soft Gildan, a stress squeeze superhero, cozy, bandaids, and a bracelet for discounts downtown. The medals are handcrafted cut medal in the Harbin/superman logo.
This is a great race for beginners and runner alike set in a perfect temperature and forgiving course.