The controversial new sport Run It made its New Zealand debut in west Auckland last night, but some are concerned about the risk of brain injuries.
The Run It Championship League took inspiration from the physical collisions seen during rugby league or union games as two participants – a runner and tackler – stand at each end of a 20m by 4m field and run toward each other at speed.
Event organiser Billy Coffey said the goal was to “either run over your defender or take out the ball runner”.
“There’s nowhere to hide, it’s you one-on-one. And usually as a player you have 13 or 15 other people on the field, not anymore,” he said.
It had held several events in Australia offering thousands of dollars in prize money to the winners, and has gained social media attention and endorsements from former players.
Former NRL player George Burgess told 1News when he stepped away from rugby, he felt like he had lost something.
“With Run It, it gives retired athletes like me [a way] to tap in to that thing you love about sport,” he said.
However, Auckland University neuroscientist Helen Murray said the likelihood of injury was “much higher” in a sport where the intent was to collide.
“When you have these sorts of collisions, even if your head isn’t directly involved, we have what you call a head acceleration event.
“So the brain is bouncing around in your skull [and] the risk of that causing damage, concussion or worse is even higher,” she said.
Coffey said there were strict measures in place to keep people safe.
“Everyone signs a waiver, everyone gets a medical check, there’s doctors on site and you know that risk. But it’s also the daring nature of it.”
He said he doesn’t want to see competitors knocked out.
“It’s really brought the community together everywhere we go, and that’s why we do it.”
