Run-it-straight event stopped but sport ‘here to stay’
Tom Wark |
A controversial, brutal sporting event has been shut down two days out after organisers lost their bid to avoid stricter regulation.
The Run Nation Championship was scheduled to be held on Saturday at Sydney’s Randwick Racecourse.
But ticket-holders will be left disappointed after the event was shut down in the NSW Supreme Court on Thursday.
Organisers attempted to argue the so-called “run it straight” event – in which competitors have to run directly at each other and try to “win” the collision – was not a combat sport under state law.
A combat sport is one where “the primary objective of each combatant … is to strike, kick, hit, grapple with, throw or punch one or more other combatants”.
The Combat Sports Authority cancelled the event, saying it had not complied with the rules required for such an event to be staged.
Run Nation launched a judicial review of the decision, which was slapped down by Justice Andrew Coleman.
“The wording in the code describing the contact as a ‘tackle’ cannot alter the fact RNC (Run Nation Championship) is a collision sport,” Justice Coleman said in his judgement.
“The essence of the activity is the collision between them.”
After the decision, Run Nation chief executive Tremaine Fernandez said the ruling was not a death sentence for the sport.
“This hearing was not about RNC being banned,” Mr Fernandez said.
“RNC is here to stay and, based on the ruling today, we’re excited to work with the Combat Sports Authority and the opportunities that may bring.”
Mr Fernandez said Saturday’s event at Randwick would be postponed.
The organisers later said on social media that tickets would be carried over to the yet-to-be-scheduled event automatically, but refunds would be available for those unable to attend the later date.
Justice Coleman acknowledged there would be consequences for those excited to see the event take place.
“There may be commercial consequences for Run Nation and its backers because of this decision,” he said.
“There may also be inconvenience to members of the public who have purchased tickets to attend the event.
“Neither of those consequences are relevant to the … decision I have made.”
Multiple former NRL players are connected with Run Nation, including former Canberra Raiders and Melbourne Storm player Sandor Earl, who was in court for the decision.
Earl received a four-year ban for doping in October 2015.
Run Nation is also required to pay legal costs.
AAP