Latest news with #RunItStraight
ABC News
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- ABC News
Calls to shut down viral game Run It Straight after teenager's death
A new game called Run It Straight has exploded in popularity online. The idea is simple, you might say daft - two people deliberately run into each other and the one left standing wins. But as 7.30's Alysia Thomas-Sam reports, the consequences can be deadly.
Sydney Morning Herald
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
The seven friends taking Run It Straight from the schoolyard to the world
RUNIT has held two events to date, one in Melbourne's Pavilion and the other in Auckland's Trust Arena. The next event, which will be held overseas at a venue yet to be confirmed, will offer prizemoney of $200,000 for the winner, $50,000 for second place and $25,000 for third. From humble beginnings, the company now employs coaches, recruiters, doctors, marketing, public relations and event managers. 'We are a start-up company,' a RUNIT spokesperson said. 'And like most start-ups we have brought in some investors who believe in the product. The initial investment is aimed at growing our brand internationally.' Former South Sydney Rabbitohs star George Burgess and Fijian former rugby player Nemani Nadolo competed against each other in RUNIT's first event in Melbourne and are now representatives of the company. 'I think it's a great concept. I always loved that part of the game, the kickoff carries and the collision,' said Burgess on Channel 10's The Project earlier this month. 'I think there's some improvements we can definitely make, with making sure the competitors are prepared and ready to go, and they've got the right technique.' Despite its big-name backers and booming popularity, the Run It Straight craze has drawn criticism after 19-year-old Ryan Satterthwaite died attempting a tackle in a backyard in New Zealand. Concussion experts say brain injury can still occur without direct hits to the head, and medical treatment afterwards is too late. 'We have some real concerns around what is known as second impact syndrome where an impact of the brain can put it into vulnerable state, and then a short time after if they get another hit to the brain it will certainly result in death – and that's what we saw in New Zealand the weekend before,' said concussion expert Alan Pearce, a professor at Melbourne's Swinburne University. RUNIT says their competitions are carried out under strict supervision and that all their competitors are experienced. They do not encourage anyone to copy their events. 'We were devastated to learn of the tragic death of Ryan Satterthwaite … this is a tragic reminder that any contact sport like boxing, martial arts or combat-style activities should only be held in highly controlled environments, which include professional medical supervision and support,' said a RUNIT spokesperson. RUNIT says all its participants are screened for suitability before competing in different weight classes, and only tackles between the shoulders and hips are allowed. The company provides technique training and have qualified medical support on site during and after each round. UTS Sports marketing expert Dr Andy West believes RUNIT needs to maintain its social media momentum if it is to become a legitimate sport. 'There is that element of danger [in Run It Straight events], and real injury there, this sort of gladiatorial side of things that people are attracted to,' said West. 'They'll have to be able to get that balance. '[In order to] remain legitimate and keep that sort of social contagion that's going that people are interested to watch, they'll need to be keep that real level of excitement, but also that dangerous element to it.' Loading RUNIT attributes its success to the short, sharp, explosive nature of the contests, which make it perfect to share across social media such TikTok and Instagram. Their next goal is to take RUNIT to the US. 'It is new, it is exciting, it's short form, and it is daring,' the spokesperson said. 'There is a level of understanding and skill required to participate, but there's also brute strength and bravery. We believe the RUNIT Championship League has enormous potential to be the next big sports and entertainment product.'
The Age
10-06-2025
- Sport
- The Age
The seven friends taking Run It Straight from the schoolyard to the world
RUNIT has held two events to date, one in Melbourne's Pavilion and the other in Auckland's Trust Arena. The next event, which will be held overseas at a venue yet to be confirmed, will offer prizemoney of $200,000 for the winner, $50,000 for second place and $25,000 for third. From humble beginnings, the company now employs coaches, recruiters, doctors, marketing, public relations and event managers. 'We are a start-up company,' a RUNIT spokesperson said. 'And like most start-ups we have brought in some investors who believe in the product. The initial investment is aimed at growing our brand internationally.' Former South Sydney Rabbitohs star George Burgess and Fijian former rugby player Nemani Nadolo competed against each other in RUNIT's first event in Melbourne and are now representatives of the company. 'I think it's a great concept. I always loved that part of the game, the kickoff carries and the collision,' said Burgess on Channel 10's The Project earlier this month. 'I think there's some improvements we can definitely make, with making sure the competitors are prepared and ready to go, and they've got the right technique.' Despite its big-name backers and booming popularity, the Run It Straight craze has drawn criticism after 19-year-old Ryan Satterthwaite died attempting a tackle in a backyard in New Zealand. Concussion experts say brain injury can still occur without direct hits to the head, and medical treatment afterwards is too late. 'We have some real concerns around what is known as second impact syndrome where an impact of the brain can put it into vulnerable state, and then a short time after if they get another hit to the brain it will certainly result in death – and that's what we saw in New Zealand the weekend before,' said concussion expert Alan Pearce, a professor at Melbourne's Swinburne University. RUNIT says their competitions are carried out under strict supervision and that all their competitors are experienced. They do not encourage anyone to copy their events. 'We were devastated to learn of the tragic death of Ryan Satterthwaite … this is a tragic reminder that any contact sport like boxing, martial arts or combat-style activities should only be held in highly controlled environments, which include professional medical supervision and support,' said a RUNIT spokesperson. RUNIT says all its participants are screened for suitability before competing in different weight classes, and only tackles between the shoulders and hips are allowed. The company provides technique training and have qualified medical support on site during and after each round. UTS Sports marketing expert Dr Andy West believes RUNIT needs to maintain its social media momentum if it is to become a legitimate sport. 'There is that element of danger [in Run It Straight events], and real injury there, this sort of gladiatorial side of things that people are attracted to,' said West. 'They'll have to be able to get that balance. '[In order to] remain legitimate and keep that sort of social contagion that's going that people are interested to watch, they'll need to be keep that real level of excitement, but also that dangerous element to it.' Loading RUNIT attributes its success to the short, sharp, explosive nature of the contests, which make it perfect to share across social media such TikTok and Instagram. Their next goal is to take RUNIT to the US. 'It is new, it is exciting, it's short form, and it is daring,' the spokesperson said. 'There is a level of understanding and skill required to participate, but there's also brute strength and bravery. We believe the RUNIT Championship League has enormous potential to be the next big sports and entertainment product.'
7NEWS
10-06-2025
- Sport
- 7NEWS
Run It Straight league holding a $200k competition despite health warnings
A Run It Straight competition is going ahead despite warnings from health bodies about the dangers of the sport. The Runit Championship League will award $200,000 to the winner of its RUNIT02 competition. In the sport, a runner and a tackler run at each other at top speed on a 'battlefield' that is 20m x 4m in dimensions. The loser is the one who is knocked out. The death of a New Zealand teenager last month shone a spotlight on the dangerous activity. Ryan Satterthwaite, 19, was rushed to hospital with serious head injuries and died on May 26 after playing the 'combat sport'. Police Manawatu area commander Inspector Ross Grantham said Satterthwaite, from Palmerston North on New Zealand's North Island, took part in an impromptu version of the game and his death is an 'absolute tragedy'. In response to Satterthwaite's death, Runit Championship League said the sport 'should only be held in highly controlled environments, which include professional medical supervision and support'. 'All RUNIT events follow established protocols including screening of participants for suitability, strict guidelines around where and how to tackle (between the shoulders and hips only), with qualified medical support and medical assessments conducted both during and after competition. 'We do not encourage any copying of the sport as it should only be done under the strict conditions outlined above in sanctioned RUNIT events.' 'Beer and head injuries don't mix' In May, two men were knocked unconscious and required medical attention during a game. Both men were knocked out, and one appeared to have a seizure, as they competed for an $18,500 cash prize. A leading concussion expert last month urged NRL fans to stop this activity after vision surfaced of a crowd engaging in Run It Straight at a Manly Sea Eagles game. Security reportedly stepped in when fans ran at each other on the hill at Brookvale Oval late in Manly's win over Brisbane on May 31. Sea Eagles chief executive Tony Mestrov said anyone found to have been involved will be banned. Dr Alan Pearce, who has worked with NRL players on concussions, said he is 'still speechless'. 'I'm pretty appalled by what we're seeing and I'm really concerned about the health of the people undertaking this activity,' he told Sunrise. 'There's no medical attention nearby if something happened.' Pearce said it was made worse by the apparent levels of intoxication. 'Beer and head injuries do not mix,' he said. 'This is what we're seeing now and this is something we've been concerned about surrounding the Run It events. 'Things like this will be happening everywhere now and they're not checked properly. That's the concern.' Do not try Run It at home While some of those filmed participating at the NRL game appeared to be grown men, Pearce said he fears for kids and even young adults involved in the trend. 'The damage to a young brain is potentially profound and catastrophic,' he said. 'With young people, kids up to the age of 20, there's a risk of what we call 'second impact syndrome'. 'Even though you might get a hit to the head and not necessarily think that there's anything going on, having a second hit to the head in a rapid time period after — it might be a few minutes, it could be 15 minutes — could be potentially life-threatening. 'This is something we are really worried about.' Other experts have also slammed the trend. Injury prevention expert Professor Patria Hume called the trend a 'reckless and dangerous spectacle' and 'a step backwards' in sport safety. 'We've spent years building evidence-based strategies to reduce head and neck injuries in rugby and contact sports,' she said. 'This event ignores all of that.' Following Satterthwaite's death, top sports neuroscientist Dr Alan Pearce said the loss of life was sadly inevitable. 'This was a matter of time, really, as sad as that is to say,' Pearce told News Corp. 'The concern is that this can happen at any level. Even in the sanctioned Run It events, someone will probably die in that at some point as well. 'It can't be done safely and when there's kids and teens that see it, they like to copy what they see online, and this is something that absolutely not should be copied. 'It is the biggest 'please do not try this at home' disclaimer, if I've ever seen one'.
Daily Maverick
08-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Maverick
Ultraviolence of viral games knocks sports safety back centuries
The dangerous new 'sport' called Run It Straight has already led to one known death. Created in Australia, Run It Straight is a new, ultraviolent combat sport. Across a 20m x 4m grassed 'battlefield', two players charge at full speed towards one another. Alternating between carrying the ball (ball runner) and defending (tackler), victory is awarded via a knockout (a competitor cannot continue), or a judge's decision based on an athlete's dominance during the collisions. Despite neuroscientists issuing grave warnings about the brutal sport's risks, Run It Straight's viral popularity on social media, including its endorsement among high-profile athletes, is accelerating. Melbourne hosted the inaugural ' Runit Championship League ' event at the beginning of May. Footage showed some participants convulsing after their collisions as the winner celebrated, surrounded by children. Drawing hundreds of spectators and millions of online views, the full-speed collision challenge is already turning its violence and social media footprint into commercial success abroad, securing interest in the US. The sport held some events in New Zealand in the week of 19 May, but one was halted by the Auckland city council because of safety concerns and the failure to secure necessary permits. A history of sport and violence In ancient times, symbolic cultural displays of power and physical dominance featured in combat sports such as wrestling, boxing, pankration (a mixed martial art combining boxing and wrestling) and even armoured foot races. This brutal entertainment is reflected in contemporary collision sports such as the National Rugby League (NRL) in Australia and New Zealand, and the Australian Football League (AFL). In recent decades, however, the danger of concussion has resulted in most contact sports changing rules and regulations to protect athletes from head injuries. Various measures have been implemented to mitigate, eliminate and treat head trauma. The Australian government has been exerting influence and committing material resources to support athletes living with brain issues such as chronic traumatic encephalopathy. Considering this multipronged effort to make contact sports safer, the violence of Run It Straight is jarring. Why are these new sports so popular? With its origins as a social media challenge, Run It Straight is perfect content for short-form social media platforms: an entire competition can be distilled into a 30-second highlight. Compared with many collision sports that have complex rules and strategies, which can be a barrier to interest, engagement and commercial returns, the accessible and minimalist format of Run It Straight also makes it attractive to fans. Run It Straight and other emerging violent sports such as Power Slap – a fight sport where contestants slap each other so hard they can be knocked unconscious – are simplistic and brutal. Athletes in most traditional collision sports use their physical ability and skill to evade contact. Similarly, boxing is not just about strikes to the head – it is also about evading punches, supreme physical fitness and scoring points. But the visual spectacle and shock of two people running towards one another for an inevitable collision is a form of violence that appeals to an increasing number of fans. Risks and possible remedies Run It Straight is a new sport, and to our knowledge there is no empirical peer-reviewed research focusing on it. But many neurologists have expressed concerns about its total disregard for scientific evidence showing that repeated head trauma damages brain health. With Run It Straight appearing to lack the medical resources and infrastructure of professional sports organisations, and the competition's expressed intent to have participants collide at high speed, the risk of significant injury is high. Power Slap, though, has been the subject of empirical research. A 2024 study reported that many of the sport's combatants showed visible signs of concussion (motor incoordination, slowness to get up and blank and vacant looks during bouts). Opportunity for 'traditional' sports? The rise of Run It Straight and Power Slap creates a unique opportunity for the governing bodies of contact codes such as the AFL, NRL and rugby union to highlight what sets them apart. Key to this is athlete safety. For years, governing bodies in these codes have invested time and resources to implement concussion management protocols at professional and community levels. The tournament-based format for individual adult participants allows Run It Straight to operate without the broader governance responsibilities of football codes. However, it is because of those governance responsibilities that the football codes can amplify their athlete wellbeing credentials to reassure participants and parents who may be nervous about concussion risks. Second, the football codes are organised team sports played with multiple players on a team, facilitating skill acquisition, teamwork, mental wellbeing and physical fitness. Although there appears to be a degree of camaraderie during Run It Straight events, it is evidently a one-on-one competition. Ultimately, the rise and evident popularity of Run It Straight and Power Slap provides a stark reminder there will always be a section of society that is drawn to high-risk behaviours. In turn, the football codes should look to highlight the value of balance and their athlete wellbeing credentials. DM First published by The Conversation. Christopher Yorke is a lecturer in sport management at Western Sydney University; Michelle O'Shea is a senior lecturer in the School of Business at Western Sydney University; Jeremy Sleiman is a lecturer in sport management at the Australian College of Physical Education and a research assistant at Western Sydney University. This story first appeared in our weekly Daily Maverick 168 newspaper, which is available countrywide for R35.
