The tragic loss of a young man has reignited growing demands to shut down the controversial trend entirely
The tragic passing of a teenager who got involved in a dangerous new trend has sparked renewed calls to put an end to it altogether.
Ryan Satterthwaite, a 19-year-old from Palmerston in New Zealand’s South Island, died on May 26. He had suffered a serious head injury the day before while trying out the 'run it straight' trend with some of his friends.
New viral challenges come and go, but this one has received heavy criticism due to the serious risks involved.
The 'run it straight' trend has taken off in both New Zealand and Australia, racking up millions of views across various social media platforms.
Those familiar with it might compare it to 'slap fighting', not because the formats are the same, but because both seem to bring more danger than traditional sports usually do.
How does the 'run it straight' trend work?
This trend—whether you call it a game, competition, or sport—involves two people running straight at each other at full speed. In some cases, one of them carries a rugby ball.
The collision takes place within a short, narrow field of about 20 meters, and neither of the participants wears any protective gear. The one who stays on their feet, whether they had the ball or not, is considered the winner and moves to the next round if it’s part of a tournament.
There doesn’t seem to be any regulation for weight classes, as some videos clearly show participants with large size differences going up against each other.
It’s not hard to imagine how this could lead to serious harm. Many health professionals have strongly voiced their concerns about the risks involved.
Death of teenager Ryan Satterthwaite
Authorities have confirmed that the game Ryan Satterthwaite was playing before his death took place casually among friends and wasn’t organized as a formal event. While they clarified that this is not being treated as a criminal case, they also mentioned that further investigation will be carried out.
Police spokesperson Ross Grantham shared in a statement to the BBC: "We would urge anyone thinking about taking part in a game or event like this to consider the significant safety and injury risk."
"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."
After Ryan’s passing, numerous health professionals once again emphasized how dangerous this kind of game can be—even when it’s just imitated casually.
While speaking with MailOnline, neuroscientist Dr. Helen Murray said: "There is clearly a high risk of head injury in this event. There's no attempt to reduce head acceleration, so I do not support it."
Professor Patria Hume, who specializes in sports science and injury prevention, argued that calling this a 'sport' actually ignores what we now understand about the serious risks linked to head trauma.
Hume continued her warning with: "This is a reckless and dangerous spectacle. The science is clear – repeated head impacts increase risk of long-term brain damage."
Australian neurologist Dr. Alan Pearce echoed the same concerns and added: "It's insanity. You're removing the skill and strategy and replacing it with blunt force."
'Run it Straight' events facing backlash on social media
Despite the fact that videos showing the trend have gained popularity on social media, Ryan’s death has led many online users to speak out against it.
On a YouTube video that featured the game, one viewer commented: "Hope this stops before more people are hurt."
Another person added their thoughts, writing: "Tragic loss of a young life today thanks to these adults trying to make this cool RIP young man."
Someone else left a blunt remark: "I wonder if the idiots behind this so called sport will still continue to promote this BS."
And another user kept it short but powerful with: "New form of stupidity? Like bull fighting."