We’ve seen our fair share of questionable trends and viral stunts over the years, but few compare to the new “Run It Straight” trend.
In certain countries there have been calls for it to be banned, and authorities may be forced to now consider taking action after the death of a 19-year-old man.
In its most simple terms, the trend sees two individuals running as fast as they can at one another across a 20-meter field, sometimes carrying a ball, with the intent of colliding to see who keeps their feet and who is knocked down. The former is then deemed the winner.
As brutal and nonsensical as the ‘sport’ sounds at face value, arguably the most absurd element is the fact that participants don’t wear any protective gear at all.
Needless to say, the risk of injury is great, and a number of videos showing men competing in the trend have found their way to social media, some of them depicting contestants being knocked out cold.
The trend has reportedly become most popular in New Zealand and Australia, yet – as with all modern trends – the virality of the clips on various social media platforms has seen it spread around the world.
19-year-old Ryan Satterthwaite, from Palmerston, a town in NZ’s South Island, tragically lost his life on May 26 after suffering a devastating head injury the day previous when he took part in the “Run It Straight” trend.
As per the BBC, police have confirmed that Ryan played the game with friends, urging others to avoid emulating the challenge.
“We would urge anyone thinking about taking part in a game or event like this to consider the significant safety and injury risk,” police spokesperson Ross Grantham said in a statement.
“While this was an impromptu game among friends, not a planned event, this tragic outcome does highlight the inherent safety concerns with such an activity.”
In the wake of the teen’s death, a number of health experts have sounded the alarm over the trend.
Neuroscientist Dr Helen Murray told the Daily Mail: “There is clearly a high risk of head injury in this event. There’s no attempt to reduce head acceleration, so I do not support it.”
Meanwhile, Patria Hume, an expert in sports science and injury prevention, labeled it a “reckless and dangerous spectacle.”
“The science is clear – repeated head impacts increase risk of long-term brain damage,” she added.
Australian neurologist Dr Alan Peace said: “It’s insanity. You’re removing the skill and strategy and replacing it with blunt force.”
Have you heard of the “Run It Straight” challenge? Let us know thoughts in the comments.
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