The Racefast Half Marathon in Northern New Jersey boasts itself as a personal-record-friendly course, being flat and fast. But this Sunday, it turned into a survival test for everyone involved, as the racers had to cross many rivers through Bergen County’s Saddle River County Park, quite literally.

Despite multiple weather warnings for flash rains in the area, the race set to begin at 8 a.m. was only delayed by two hours, forcing the runners to face the floodwaters that reached as high as their chests while also trying to win the race. With no precautionary measures taken and the lives of at least 500 runners put at risk, Bergen County is diving into an investigation to understand what truly went wrong.

“Bergen County said on Monday that they are reviewing ‘all of the circumstances’ surrounding the privately organized Racefaster Half Marathon in the town of Paramus over the weekend. The county also put the organizers on probation with the local parks department’s permitting office,” the Daily Mail reported on Tuesday.

The National Weather Service had issued a Flood Watch for Bergen County on September 12, covering the early hours of Sunday through noon. By race morning, a Flash Flood Warning was already in effect for the area, as heavy rain continued to push water levels higher. While Racefaster delayed the race, they did not cancel it despite looking at the conditions. Around 250 runners finished the 13.1-mile race, but it quickly turned into a frightening test as heavy rain sent floodwater rushing across the course.

By then, around four inches of rain had fallen on the Saddle River Parkway trails, according to meteorologist Matt Brickman, leaving pools of water across parts of the route. Runners found themselves wading through water that reached their waists and, in some sections, their chests. With severe weather warnings already in place, the question raised is how the race was allowed to continue.

Officials said Racefaster had been advised by the county Parks Department and public safety personnel to use an alternate route that would keep runners away from the areas most vulnerable to flooding. However, runners also mentioned that an alternate route was never created. Others said that they had no idea that an alternate route was also arranged. Racefast will not be allowed to organize races in the Bergen County Parks System for at least one year under the probation. They have not yet responded to requests for comment. 

Investigators are also looking at whether Racefaster followed its permit’s conditions and whether runners entered restricted parts of the park. The investigation comes after videos from the race showed participants struggling through deep water, with some holding onto railings as they tried to make their way through the flooded sections.

Runners detail the horrific conditions in Parasmus

Among the runners trying to fight through the floodwaters were Matthew Vickers and his cousin, who encountered a 71-year-old woman struggling against the current and stopped to help carry her to safety. Garrett Nathan was also one of the runners who noticed the worsening conditions before the race even started.

“I keep checking my email from the race directors and get no notifications about a cancelling,” Nathan told NBC New York. “(By the time the race started) I’m like, ‘Alright, I guess we’re just actually doing this thing.'” 

Nathan said the course was already muddy and flooded, and once the clock started, there was no longer any question about whether runners were actually being sent out. As runners moved farther along the course, the conditions became harder to ignore.

Outside Run’s reporting says runners encountered water above their ankles around mile 1, severe flooding around mile 4, water above their knees around mile 7, and chest-high water around mile 9. For some, continuing was no longer worth the risk. 

Despite around 250 runners eventually finishing the race, not everyone made it to the end. Some turned around, while those who continued were left trying to work out how to get through the course without being swept off their feet.

The marathon had turned into a terrifying journey through rising floodwaters

For Marijana Dinic, one of the most frightening moments came when the water rose to around her waist and chest.

“The flood was up to here. I was grabbing this woman next to me, and she grabbed me and was holding me. I thought maybe 50 meters and it will be over.”

But the conditions only became more difficult, with the current strong enough that she had to grab a railing beneath a tunnel to keep herself from being pushed away. Looking back on the experience, Dinic questioned:

“It should have been cancelled. It was not organized properly, I feel. Luckily, I’m not hurt. I don’t think anyone else was hurt. So that’s a good thing.”

Zac Clark, known from The Bachelorette, also captured the conditions as he made his way through the course. In one video showing runners confronting rushing water and using a railing for support, his reaction was simple:

“Bro, this is nuts!”

Despite the conditions, Clark completed the 13.1-mile race in 1:40:42, finishing third in his age group. He later summed up the unusual run by saying that “many rivers were crossed.”

For now, the race may be over, but the questions surrounding it are not. With Bergen County still investigating how the event unfolded, the flooded course has left runners, organizers, and officials with plenty to answer for.