Get Fit. Escape Zombies. Become a Hero.

Zombies, Run! is available for iOS and Android.

Zombies, Run! turns a boring run into an exciting adventure filled with zombies chasing after you. The app puts together a whole narrative while you’re running, and at the same time tracks your stats and ensures a good workout.

Here’s how the app works. There are 23 missions to choose from. You pick a mission before you start your run and let it play. Pop your head phones in and put your phone in your pocket and you’re on your way. All the other instructions are done via audio prompts. The story begins with a cut scene where you hear the story and dialogue with other characters. After a minute or two, you’ll be dropped into your music playlist. This is where the bulk of the action happens.

While music is optional, I highly recommend it as it makes everything much less boring and gives you a frame of reference in case something goes wrong. During songs, you will occasionally hear robotic prompts over your music like “Collected a bottle of water,” or “Collected a med kit.” More importantly, you’ll also hear the automated voice say “Warning: Zombies [X] Meters.” It’s at this point that you run. If you slow down at any point, the zombies get closer and closer. Slow down too much, and you’ll “die.”

Your progress can be tracked online via Zombielink, which lets you share your run logs (including music playlists) and route maps with friends, if you want. You can also build up your personal version of Abel Township, your home base in the apocalypse. Your base is built up in a sort of side mini-game by spending all those supplies you gathered while out on your runs.

The app can work in two different ways; it can track your movement via GPS or via accelerometer. If you use GPS tracking on an outdoor route, the ZombieLink stats will include a map of your route with a linear display of your speed at every point along it. The accelerometer option allows you to use the app if you’re on an indoor track or on a treadmill.

Overall, this app is a great way to motivate yourself if normal running trackers just aren’t cutting it for you. At $3.99, Zombies, Run! really does make running exciting.

Screenshots of Zombies, Run!