Credit: Instagram
Teenager Dies After Doing ‘Run It Straight’ Trend That ‘Should Be Banned’
A 19-year-old from New Zealand has tragically died after participating in the ‘Run It Straight’ trend.
The teenager, identified as Ryan Satterthwaite, passed away on May 26, 2025, after sustaining a ‘serious head injury.’
Manawatū police area commander, Inspector Ross Grantham, says the young man died ‘as a result of participating in what I understand to be a social media frenzy.’
In a statement, the official said: “We would urge anyone thinking about taking part in a game or event like this to consider the significant safety and injury risks.
“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.”
Grantham added that while it wasn’t a police matter, officers would ‘continue to undertake enquiries on behalf of the coroner.’
‘Run It Straight’ has been played in Australia and New Zealand for a long time, however, it’s recently taken off as a trend online and has even been endorsed by professional rugby players, despite critics warning of the dangers.
It’s a tackle game that involves two players – a ball runner and a tackler – who stand at either end of a 20m x 4m field and run full speed toward each other, without wearing protective gear, with the aim of knocking the other over.
In some videos online, participants can be seen passing out after being hit.
A championship ‘Run It Straight’ was recently held in Auckland, where it was dubbed ‘the world’s fiercest new collision sport’ which rewards ‘strength and grit.’
It’s reported that over 1,000 people were in attendance to watch eight men compete for $20,000 prize money.
The event’s organizers, RUNIT, spoke to The Guardian following the tragic news of the teen’s death.
It stated: “Any contact sport like boxing, martial arts, or combat-style activities should only be held in highly controlled environments, which include professional medical supervision and support.”
The organizers said that their events screen participants, enforce strict guidelines on how and where to tackle, conduct medical assessments before and after the competition, and have medical staff on hand.
“We do not encourage any copying of the sport as it should only be done under the strict conditions,” it added.
Kimami Ngaluafe, the organizer of Up the Guts NZ – which is another ‘Run It Straight’ event in New Zealand – says the sport attracts five-year-old boys to men in their 40s.
He tells the BBC: “It’s a Kiwi national backyard sport. The boys are currently playing as we speak.”
The ‘Run It Straight’ trend has been heavily criticized by neuroscientists and brain specialists due to its risk of serious brain trauma.
Headway, a charity that promotes the understanding of the effects of brain injury, says trends like this can result in ‘devastating life-changing and life-long consequences.’
Colin Morris, director of communications at Headway, told ITV News: “Trends like this are dangerous because they encourage copycat behavior often among young people who may not fully understand the serious risks involved.
“Participants will often have no medical supervision or support on hand if something goes wrong. One blow to the head can result in death or lead to permanent damage, affecting memory, mood, mobility, and even personality.
“It’s simply not worth the risk.”
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