On Sept. 10th 1945, a chicken in Fruita, Colorado, intended for dinner was beheaded. Not so bizarre, except this bird lived for 18 months, and ran around “like a chicken with his head cut off”. Forever known in memoriam as” Mike The Headless Wonder Chicken“. A festival now marks his bizarre existence. Featuring an inspiring 5k, aptly titled, The Run Like a Headless Chicken Race. Register to run the 5k here.According to the festivals official website,

residents remember Mike over coffee – “‘he was a big fat chicken who didn’t know he didn’t have a head’ – ‘he seemed as happy as any other chicken.’ Mike’s excellent state of health made it difficult for animal-rights activists to garner much of a following.”

Mike was estimated at the time to be worth $10,000,000 US.His fame garnered him features in both Time and Life magazines, and of course the guiness book of world records.

‘It was determined that ax blade had missed the jugular vein and a clot had prevented Mike from bleeding to death. Although most of his head was in a jar, most of his brain stem and one ear was left on his body. Since most of a chicken’s reflex actions are controlled by the brain stem Mike was able to remain quite healthy. At the time of his unfortunate beheading Mike weighed in at 2.5 lbs, but at the time of his death he increased to nearly 8lbs.”Mike is celebrated every third weekend in May.