While they have been derided by many sectors of the public as dangerous, for one RunIt competitor, the phenomenon is putting clothes on the backs of his young children.
Champ Betham was the winner in the second night of trials in Auckland, taking home $20,000 and earning a spot on the plane to Dubai for the inaugural event in the Middle East.
The Christchurch man said the win has “helped massively” with financial burdens.
“We got to pay off some debts and stock up the fridges and the cupboards, food for our little ones, especially with the economy and stuff like that here in New Zealand. Nothing’s cheap these days.”
He said with the coldest time of the year around the corner, he was blessed to have some relief for his whānau.
“We got to stock up on winter clothing and stuff for our babies and just finally having a full fridge. It was just awesome, not having to stress about it for a wee while.”
Public backlash toward ‘Run it Straight’ competitions has been fierce, many lamenting its risk of serious brain injury.
This was exacerbated following the tragic death of a teenager imitating the game in Palmerston North.
Those to have spoken out against the practice include doctors, and both New Zealand Rugby and Rugby League.
A competitor at the sports event in west Auckland appeared to convulse after colliding with another participant. (Source: rnz.co.nz)
However, Betham said it was the opportunities given to men like himself which were overlooked.
“I think that’s what the public don’t really see is that it’s hard these days working long shifts and you still paycheque doesn’t really cut it. So this is a massive blessing to a whole heap of us to pretty much try and win 20K or whatever for a couple hours work.”
He said without RunIt, he likely would never get the chance to travel to the United Arab Emirates.
“I’m feeling blessed. They’re paying for my flights and accommodation and all of that. I think RunIt has opened up a couple of doors for a lot of us, especially Pasifika people.”
While Pasifika rugby icons Tana Umaga and Ardie Savea have empathised with competitors, saying they understood it was a chance to get ahead in life, executive members of Sports Medicine New Zealand (SMNZ) want the events banned.
Dr Stephen Kara, national chairman of SMNZ, said the biomechanics of RunIt collisions are comparable to severe car crashes.
“When two 105kg participants (average body mass of rugby players) sprint towards each other, the impact force can exceed 16,800 Newtons. This force is over three times that of a professional boxer’s punch and more than 1.5 times the force of falling from two meters.”
Stacey Mowbray of Headway said Ryan Satterthwaite’s death was an “absolute tragedy” but wasn’t surprised it happened. (Source: 1News)
While still working a 9-5 job, Betham could envision the sport growing to the point where he was a full-time professional.
“I can definitely seeing it elevated into that kind of area, but baby steps.”
In order to enter the Auckland trials Betham shed down from 143kg to 127kg, to meet the 130kg limit.
With the limit for Dubai dropping by a further five kg, Betham has been focused on keeping his weight down ahead of the final showdown.
“Just trying to keep it level and just trying to prep the shoulders and the whole upper body for the contact. Keep the shoulders conditioned, you don’t want to go on cold turkey.”
Auckland was originally scheduled to host the RunIt finals in this month, however, their previous hosts, Trusts Arena Stadium opted not to follow through on plans to stage a third event.
“Safety of all participants at our venue is paramount and this activity presented safety considerations that we could not overlook,” Trusts Arena’s general manager of community engagement,” a spokesperson for the stadium told the New Zealand Herald.
Betham said there was undoubtedly a psychological aspect to running full speed at another hulking human.
“I wouldn’t call it fear, it’s just sort of like a footy game before you run out into the field. You got a little bit of jitters, but once you make that first contact, everything goes away. So I wouldn’t really call it fear, I think it’s just a bit of nerves.”
Betham was bracing for some fierce competition in Dubai.
“It’s going to be a tough, but I’m backing myself to hopefully come away with a big win.”
rnz.co.nz