Screengrab of email sent to registrants.

The wildly popular “Run for Your Lives” series of zombie infused 5k runs has sent word out to all registrants that all future events have been “postponed indefinitely” and individuals should “should contact your bank for a full refund.” This includes a run scheduled for this weekend in Arizona, and another in Pomona planned for next March, which the event producers had been promoting up until the last couple days, a registrant told The Baltimore Sun.

Run for Your Lives also appears to have deleted their Facebook page and Twitter accounts after numerous outraged registrants posted complaints and questions.

The Baltimore Sun reported that William Ward, the VP of Marketing for Run for Your Lives, said that he and 20 other full time staff had been laid off, and citing reduced attendance at the races. “Ward said he did not know whether the company was seeking bankruptcy protection or whether it would offer refunds to ticket buyers,” they wrote.

Tickets to participate in Run for Your Lives are between $35 and $100, depending on participation. Both runners, and the featured zombies, are required to pay to take part, and there is also a fee to be a spectator to watch the action.

By suggesting registrants “contact (their) bank for a full refund,” we assume they’re suggesting registrants contact their credit card companies and demand a chargeback, which seems highly unusual for a company to officially suggest customers to do. Regardless, we recommend that if you registered for any future Run for Your Lives, you initiate this process ASAP before any bankruptcy filings stop the chargebacks from going through, or the company takes any other steps to keep whatever money has been sent their way.

Copy of the complete letter sent to registrants below:

RFYL Participants,

It is with great sadness that we are notifying you that the Run For Your Lives event you have purchased a ticket for has been cancelled. This was a tough decision and something we desperately tried to avoid. We understand the frustration this will cause you, as well as inconvenience. For that, we are deeply sorry.

At this point, all events are postponed indefinitely and you should contact your bank for a full refund.

Regretfully,
RFYL