95bFM Better regulations needed following death for Run It Straight challenge
29 May, 2025
Interview by Oto Sequiera, adapted by Alyssa Ramos
Sports scientist and sports injury prevention expert from AUT, Patricia Hume, says better regulations are needed, following the death of a 19-year-old in the ‘Run It Straight’ challenge.
Ryan Satterthwaite, a 19-year-old boy from Palmerston North, has lost his life after participating in the ‘Run It Straight’ challenge.
The challenge, inspired by physical collisions seen in rugby, requires two people to charge at each other without protective gear, with the winner being the person left standing.
The ‘Run It Straight’ trend has gained popularity following visibility through social media platforms and the Australian-based RUNIT championship league.
Following Satterthwaite’s passing, Auckland’s Trust Arena, who were set to host the final of the RUNIT championship league with a $200,000 cash prize, has since said they will not long host the event.
Sports scientist and sports injury prevention expert from the Auckland University of Technology (AUT), Patricia Hume, told 95bFM's The Wire that this challenge is especially dangerous as it replicates five times the force than a regular rugby tackle.
“The impact force is like jumping off the roof of your house and landing flat on your front.”
Humes says a mixture of social media virality and wanting to stand out is a reason rangatahi are participating in this trend.
“We've got social media with millions of hits. It's gone viral and people think that they can make money out of participating in ‘run it.’”
Despite the RUNIT Championship League issuing a statement discouraging copying the challenge without medical supervision, Hume says the damage has already been done.
She adds that she would like to see better regulations regarding this and similar challenges to ensure the safety of those taking part.
“With organised sport, it's got rules and regulations for a purpose, to ensure that we can make participation safe. For events that are organised, councils have [the] responsibility to provide permits, and there's health and safety legislation that event organisers need to adhere to,” she says.
“So event organisers do need to make sure that these events are safe for people.”
