(Was Tested and Consistent on Hardcore and VoS) You can just run past the Lycans in the first field by hanging a left against the fence and don't have to slow down. 100% of the times tested I have not been hit, and it allows you to get the box with metal scrap on your way back for free cuz theres no enemies anymore.

Can confirm, tried this on every difficulty and even did it back on the demo.

There seem to be several sections in the game where if you trigger a specific event first (like the one listed here, or breaking the lock by the red chimney house listed in another thread) it seems to just completely remove enemies from some areas.