As the viral ‘Run It Straight’ trend spreads across the country, a Gold Coast lawyer is warning that even unofficial versions of the challenge could land schools, clubs and coaches in legal hot water – particularly when they involve children.

Personal injury lawyer Nickelle Morris from Travis Schultz & Partners, who specialises in traumatic brain injury claims, says organisations may still have a duty of care even when participants “agree” to take part in the stunts.

“If a club knows – or reasonably should know – that these kinds of challenges are taking place, and fails to intervene, they may still be legally liable if someone is seriously injured,” Ms Morris said.

Often occurring outside formal training or events, ‘Run It Straight’ typically involves two young people challenging each other to full-speed, head-on collisions – sometimes as part of a ‘best of three’ scenario – without protective equipment or supervision. In most instances, these clashes are then shared across social platforms, typically challenging others to replicate them.

“We’ve heard reports of it happening at footy carnivals, during lunch breaks and even in carparks here on the Gold Coast – anywhere kids are unsupervised and looking to prove themselves,” Ms Morris said.

“The reality is, these are high-force impacts with no rules, no referees, and no safety measures. And if someone gets hurt, there’s often no insurance, no return-to-play guidance, and no legal safety net.”

While some may argue the activity is consensual, Ms Morris says the law views this differently – especially when minors are involved.

“People often assume that if someone chooses to take part, they’ve waived their right to legal protection – but that’s not always the case,” Ms Morris said.

“Courts consider things like age, maturity, and whether supervising adults turned a blind eye. If there’s reckless behaviour, unsafe conditions, or a failure to enforce safety protocols, legal responsibility can still fall to the club, school or coaches – even if the activity wasn’t officially sanctioned.”

She warns that community groups and schools need to be aware of the risks and take steps to actively discourage and prevent these stunts.

“Turning a blind eye isn’t a defence,” Ms Morris said. 

“If adults know this is happening and don’t intervene, they could be found in breach of their duty of care.”

The warning comes ahead of Brain Injury Awareness Week (18-24 August), with calls growing louder for stronger education and better protections for young people engaging in high-risk activities. 

In May, Run It Safety spokesperson Billy Coffey revealed the activity has a concussion rate of around 20 per cent^[1], however, despite the risk of serious injury, interest continues to grow. Unsanctioned tournaments offering cash prizes of tens of thousands of dollars^[2] are drawing crowds of up to 1,000 spectators, with many events being livestreamed and going viral on platforms such as TikTok and Instagram.

“Concussions aren’t just a bump to the head – they’re traumatic brain injuries that can have lifelong impacts, particularly for young people.”

Unlike organised sport, where rules, insurance and medical oversight are in place, Ms Morris says participants in unofficial challenges are largely unprotected.

“It’s not just the lack of compensation if something goes wrong. There’s often no treatment plan or access to specialist care,” Ms Morris said.

“Without that legal safety net, many young people are left without the support they need to recover, return to school or re-enter the workforce.”

With the Gold Coast’s booming youth population and high participation in sport, Ms Morris is urging schools, parents and clubs to take a proactive approach.

“My own son plays rugby here on the Gold Coast, and you hear kids talking about who’s brave enough to do it – with no idea what’s really at stake,” Ms Morris said.

“We need to be having open conversations with young people about risk and responsibility. And we need more structured, supervised opportunities for them to challenge themselves safely – not viral stunts with devastating consequences.”

According to statistics, more than 70 per cent of traumatic brain injuries arise from motor vehicle accidents – but a growing number are now occurring through sport and recreational activity, with self-inflicted head trauma from online trends emerging as a troubling new category.^[3]

^[1] https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-06-05/run-it-straight-turns-brute-force-into-entertainment/105353548

^[2] https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/may/27/new-zealand-teenager-death-tackle-game-ntwnfb

^[3] https://www.health.qld.gov.au/abios/asp/what_is_abi?utm_source=chatgpt.com