More than 200 people have signed up to take part in the inaugural Sacramento Man Hunt, a spin on the classic game of tag that will span the Grid from Old Sacramento to Alhambra Boulevard at 10 p.m. Sept. 3.

The game is simple: There will be runners and chasers. Runners get a seven-minute head-start and must remain on foot. Chasers can use any vehicle they want, and they must “catch” the runners by tagging them with two hands.

“I’ve had a lot of interest in it,” said event coordinator Mike Flanagan, who has been publicizing it via Facebook. “I don’t really expect all of them to show up, but I expect a good-size crowd.”

Runners must try to evade the chasers and make it to the Safeway store at Alhambra Boulevard and K Street within the game’s two-hour timeframe. If runners are caught, they become chasers.

Flanagan, 25, said he saw a similar event being held in a city in southern California. Not wanting to drive for the event, he decided to hold one in Sacramento.

“I want to get about four events we can have annually,” he said. “I want them to really be all-ages and just fun for everyone.”

In April, Flanagan organized the Sacramento Pillow Fight Day, which was held in Fremont Park and drew a sizable crowd.

The Sacramento Man Hunt is a free event, and no prizes are being given to winners.

“You’ll just know you’re awesome,” Flanagan said with a laugh. “We’re going on the honor system, and it’s really just about having a good time.”

Flanagan said he will be participating as a runner.

Boundaries for the event will be between Front Street, H Street and L Street. There is no eastern boundary, as that is the finish line.

Chasers are reminded not to do anything illegal in cars or on bicycles.

“I don’t want anyone stopping suddenly and putting their hazards on and thinking that’s OK,” Flanagan said. “It’s a game. It’s not worth breaking any laws over it.”

Runners will be marked by colored tape worn somewhere on their bodies, supplied by Flanagan. Chasers won’t wear any markings, and Flanagan said that should add to the game’s thrill, as runners won’t know if people they encounter on the street are chasers or merely people out on a Saturday night.

When runners are caught and become chasers, they remove their tape and can then use vehicles.

“We don’t want anyone doing anything illegal,” Flanagan said. “There’s no running through people’s yards or anything like that. Runners need to use the streets and alleys and their wits.”

Teresa Pettingell, a 31-year-old downtown resident, said she is looking forward to participating in the event as a runner.

“It’s kind of like when you play tag. You always want to be the one everyone is trying to catch,” she said.

Pettingell participated in the pillow fight and said she enjoyed it, and she and several of her friends will be partaking in the manhunt.

“It’s a great community event, and it’s something active to do,” she said.

While the pillow fight was held during the daytime and attracted people of all ages – with some as young as 4 years old – the manhunt will be held from 10 p.m. - midnight Sept. 3.

“Sacramento is having Gold Rush Days during the daytime, and the night will help runners stay hidden,” Flanagan said. “Plus, when it’s over, people can walk to some of the bars and have a drink and laugh about the fun time they just had.”

He said he enjoys organizing events such as the pillow fight and the manhunt, and it’s something he thinks helps keep people’s imaginations active.

“I have a lot of experience working with kids, and I don’t want us as adults to lose the fun they have,” he said. “This is a free event that’s kind of a good memory for the end of the summer of 2011. Maybe we didn’t get a chance to go on a vacation this year, and this is a memory we can have of doing something fun.”

The Sacramento Man Hunt will start at 10 p.m. at the entrance to the tunnel between Old Sacramento and Westfield Downtown Plaza. For more information and full rules for the game, click here to see the Facebook event posting.

Brandon Darnell is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press. Follow him on Twitter @Brandon_Darnell.