ZAP ZONE WORLD RECORD ATTEMPT

A Geek Daddy was invited by Zap Zone to put together a team to participate in a World Record attempt that involved playing laser tag. I couldn't turn that down! So my kids and I along with one of their best friends and her dad headed over to the Canton location of Zap Zone to do a shift in their bid to be recognized by Guinness World Records for hosting the longest laser tag marathon.

Originally starting off as a place to play video games, Zap Zone has expanded its attractions and locations over the last twenty-five years. Now the family entertainment venue in addition to being an arcade also offers bumper cars, bowling, glo-golf, go-karts, ninja obstacle courses, roller skating, trampolines, virtual reality zones and of course laser tag. There are currently 9 Zap Zones in Michigan with 5 in Metro Detroit (Canton, Farmington, Sterling Heights, Taylor and Waterford) as well as locations in Ann Arbor, Battle Creek, Brighton, and Lansing.

To celebrate its 25th anniversary, Zap Zone is trying to achieve two Guinness World Records involving laser tag:

LONGEST LASER TAG MARATHON

First, the one we were invited participate in was to break the current record for the longest laser tag marathon.  This has two pre-selected teams constantly playing for the duration of the world record attempt with a third team being added from time to time into the mix to keep things interesting for the core group of players. Looking like the Ghostbusters with our laser phasers and target vests, we took on the role of the third team for a portion of this laser tag marathon.

The current record for continuously playing laser tag is 25 hours which was set in 2017 by Q-Zar Codevilla (Pavia, Italy). So that is the mark Zap Zone has to beat!  The two primary teams are planning on playing consecutively for 26 hours to achieve the world record … and if they have enough endurance may play even longer to make their accomplishment harder to beat.

This dad blogger's team had a blast jumping into the action. We had a lot of fun playing laser tag and it was made even more exciting knowing we were part of trying to achieve the Guinness World Record for longest laser tag marathon. Did we set the record? Well as I am writing this they still have another twenty hours left to play but from our interaction with the players it seems as if they won't have a problem setting it. The nice part of our role was that we got to play for a little while then go home.

MOST LASER TAG GAME PARTICIPANTS IN A SINGLE DAY

Also coming up on August 25, 2019, Zap Zone is attempting to break Guinness World Record #2 for the most people playing in an ongoing laser tag match in a single day. The record is currently 250 people.  Zap Zone is hoping to burst that with a 1,000 or more participants playing laser tag from 10 am to 10 pm at their Farmington location.

Anyone who stops in during that time can play a 10-minute match for FREE to be part of the world record attempt. You will also receive a commemorative lanyard to mark the moment you participated in a Guinness World Record attempt. Stop by and join in!

EVERYONE PLAYS FOR FREE

If you aren't able to participate the Guinness World Record attempts there is still laser tag fun to be had at Zap Zones this weekend. As part of Zap Zone's twenty-fifth anniversary celebration, on Sunday, August 25 it will be FREE to play laser tag at ALL of the Zap Zone locations. Each of the Zap Zone locations, including the Farmington world record attempt, will be running the laser tag arena in a tournament format.

Players will be grouped into 2 teams of 10 players for each match. A team stays in the laser tag arena until they are defeated. If you are good enough you could compete in 10 matches in a row, maybe 100 or even keep playing all day long if no one defeats your team. You can come with 10 of your friends to all be on the same team or if alone be randomly placed on a team. Zap Zone wants everyone who comes out to have a chance to have fun playing a free match of laser tag on August 25. Come on out and have a good time!

For more information or directions go to zap-zone.com

Halloween Fun Runs

Fall is one of my favorite times to get outside and participate in running events because of its moderate temperatures, the brilliant coloring of the trees that decorates the Michigan landscape during this time of year, and there are always fun and interesting themed races going on -- especially revolving around Halloween.  There are races where participants are chased by zombies, fun runs where everyone is encouraged to wear a costume, events that have runners trick or treating along the route and others that are like taking a jog through an outdoor haunted house.  There is plenty of spooky fun to be had if you are up to running a 5K right before Halloween.

2016 MICHIGAN HALLOWEEN THEMED FUN RUNS:

Midland Zombies 5K Trail Run -- Saturday, October 15

Run through a 3 mile route through the trails of Midland's City Forest park trying to avoid a hoard of local middle school and high school kids who have been transformed for the day into flesh eating, human loving zombies.  Dodge the zombie-infected teenagers without them capturing the flags attached to your waist to win the race.

Headless Horseman 5K & Monster Mile -- Saturday October 22

Round up your family and friends to run this nighttime race through the sleepy streets of downtown Howell and into the shadows of Lakeview Cemetery dressed in costume as your favorite Halloween character.  Just one of the Halloween themed activities going on in the city that weekend as part of its The Legend of Sleepy Howell festival.

Waterford Coalition for Youth Zombie Run -- Saturday, October 22

Run through the scenic trails of Hess Hathaway Park and beware the zombies! They don't chase you in this fun run but they may scare you.  Runners are actually encouraged to dress up as zombies themselves and their are some awards for best costumes.  There may be a lot of zombies at this event but they won't interfere with you while running the race course.

Shepard Haunted Trail 5K -- Saturday, October 22

Run a haunted 5k trail after dark through the Shepard High School Cross Country Course which will be full of Halloween fun!  The woods will be filled with ghosts, goblins, zombies and other spooky things positioned throughout the course who will try to scare you out of your running shoes.  All entrants will receive a headlamp to wear as part of their registration to help them safely navigate the fun run route.

Troy Frightful 5K and 1K Pumpkin Family Fun Run -- Sunday October 23

All entrants are encourage to wear a costume.  All Pumpkin Run participants receive a pumpkin at the finish line.

Halloween Hustle -- Sunday, October 23

Support United Way with your entry fee for this race through the historic neighborhoods of Marshall, Michigan.  Costumes are optional but encouraged.

Costumed 5K Run and Monster Mile Fun Walk -- Sunday, October 23

Burn off some calories before you eat all of that Halloween candy and get extra use out of your awesome costumes with your family, friends, and neighbors. This event will make you laugh, smile and sweat all the way to the finish line at the Clinton Township Civic Center Trails and grounds.

Waterford Halloween Spooktacular -- Sunday, October 23

3 spooky themed events in one event - 1 Mile Fun Run; Wicked Witches 5K; Ghost & Goblins 5K, Run all three or just pick one or two of them to participate in.  Participants receive unique swag for each race they run at Waterford Oaks County Park.

Brown City Days Zombie 5K Run & Halloween Fest -- Saturday, October 29

Jack-O'-Lantern 5K & Kids' Pumpkin Patch Trick-or-Treat Fun Run - Saturday, October 29

This event's 10K provides a super natural challenge as participants run through wooded trails filled with obstructions and challenging terrain.  Race across floating and stationary superdecks, fields and a small stretch of road.  Be prepared to hurdle downed trees, wade through tall grass, and sludge through some mud.  The 5K is a slightly less strenuous course that pits runners against one another on a narrow trail.  For the kids are two options -- a 1/2 mile fun run or a two loop 1 Mile race.

Spooky Scarecrow 5K Run / Walk -- Saturday, October 29

Run through the beautiful backwoods of historic Almont Townships Orchards in a fun Halloween themed race.  Prizes for both Best Times and Best Costumes for event participants with cider and doughnuts provided at the finish line.

Trick-or-Trot 5K Run / Walk -- Saturday, October 29

Support the Meridian High School Band Department in this fun run/walk with prizes for best costumes, medals for top finishers, and t-shirts guaranteed for all participants registered by October 21, 2016 that takes place in Sanford, Michigan.

The Scare for CARE Halloween 5K  -- Sunday, October 30

A spooky fun run and walk taking place in Ann Arbor to help tackle a scary problem troubling many families --  substance abuse. Proceeds support CARE of Southeastern Michigan which has served as the area’s lead referral source for substance abuse treatment since 1977.  There are three options to choose from: Thrilling 5k, Mummy Mile, or Kids Monster Mash Dash.

The Scare for CARE 5K starts just before sunset, that spine-tingling interval between daylight and dark. Dress up as one of the ethereal spirits known to roam the earth at this hour or wear your favorite costume. Then run, walk, or creepily crawl our dusk-lit 3.1 miles, but beware: you never know what frightful sights conceal themselves along the course, just waiting to provide even more hair-raising fun to your race!

For those guys and ghouls who prefer a less eerie distance, we offer up the Mummy Mile. Ideal for those seeking a spirited sprint, the Mummy Mile is also perfect for walkers, for families and fiends, and especially for younger participants, who can trick-or-treat along the way at our Candy Aid Stations, manned our friendly, non-frightening cast of characters.

Our littlest wizards and witches can enjoy a fun run all their own: the Monster Mash Dash! Open to competitors ages 8 and under, the Monster Mash Dash features a kid-friendly 100-meter sprint leading to the very same finish line that Mummy and Daddy will cross.

Wicked Halloween Run -- Sunday, October 30

Earn a fantastic glow-in-the-dark finisher medal by participating in the largest Halloween Run in the state. It promises to be a wicked good time! Costumes are encouraged and there is a contest that rewards the most ghoulishly dressed. A great event that starts and finishes from Plymouth's Kellogg Park that includes 10K, 5K and 1 Mile options to participate in.

Fun Runs / Walks are a great opportunity to get outside for some exercise, experience an out of the ordinary activity, and often times support the fundraising efforts of a charitable or community group.  Is there a Halloween running event near you that is fun to participate in?  If you don't know there are a multitude of online running directories that provide a calendar of events taking place either regionally, state-wide, or locally.  Lace up your sneakers and get out there if you can! Just don't let the zombies bite!