RunIt Faces Controversy as Backyard Game Gains Global Attention

A backyard game called RunIt, which evolved from the traditional bull rush, has sparked significant debate following a tragic incident in Palmerston North, New Zealand. A 19-year-old lost his life during a backyard RunIt-style event, prompting calls from experts for the game to be banned due to safety concerns.

Billy Coffey, a safety spokesperson for RunIt, informed RNZ that two participants at a recent Auckland event suffered concussions, attributing the injuries to “illegal” techniques. He explained, “We had two concussions out of our eight runners, and those two concussions, the first one was from a guy who was American-based and he led with his head.” Although competitors are required to wear mouthguards, headgear remains optional. To ensure safety, Coffey stated, “We’ve got an ambulance on site. We’ve got liability. Everything’s covered. There’s waivers, medicals beforehand, medicals after.”

Veteran sports commentator and former rugby league player Fauono Ken Laban criticized RunIt, calling it a “dreadful event.” He questioned the authenticity of the toughness promoted by the game, noting that similar tackles in rugby have been outlawed. “I’m not even going to call it a sport, because it’s not an established sport,” he remarked.

Despite the criticism, others see a different perspective. Pakilau Manase Lua, a community leader from Auckland, acknowledged the game’s appeal, particularly among Polynesian males. “It’s the attraction of being able to use their God-given natural abilities to be explosively impactful and physical in a sport,” he stated. Lua emphasized that while discussions around potential injuries are valid, all sports carry inherent risks. He argued that banning RunIt could push the activity underground, leading to even more dangerous conditions.

Lua added, “These are things that a lot of young people should be educated about, the risks… guided around particularly head injuries.” He drew parallels to other high-risk sports, like American football and boxing, highlighting that risk is part of any competitive activity.

Support for RunIt also comes from Regan Foai, a broadcaster and social media personality. He expressed that the event has been part of their culture for a long time. “We’ve been doing this for a long time—it just hasn’t been put on the scale that it is now,” he said. Foai noted that safety precautions are in place, referencing conversations with RunIt competitors. “I think a lot of people just jumping the gun and not understanding,” he explained.

Concerns about banning the game were echoed by Lefaoali’i Dr Dion Enari, an Associate Professor of Pacific Heritage at Unitec. He cautioned that prohibition could lead to unintended consequences, stating, “Doing that hasn’t removed gangs from society; in fact, it’s actually made it harder for the public to identify who’s in a gang and who’s not.” Dr. Enari believes that open conversations about safety measures are essential to improving the sport.

The cultural significance of RunIt is not lost on community members. John Loau, manager of the New Zealand Management Academies, mentioned that the game resonates with young people, who are captivated by the physicality of the collisions. He emphasized the importance of educating participants about the potential impacts on their bodies. “It’s really built in our DNA,” he said, referring to the physicality inherent in Pacific peoples.

Loau pointed out that the low barrier to entry makes RunIt accessible, leading to its popularity. “I guess everyone thinks it’s a bit harmless until someone actually gets injured,” he remarked, highlighting the need for structured training similar to established sports like rugby and mixed martial arts.

As RunIt continues to gain traction, the dialogue surrounding its safety and cultural implications remains critical. The contrasting views underscore the complexities of a game that has both captivated and concerned communities, leaving many to ponder its future in the sporting landscape.