'I had to hold myself to a rail.' Runners wade through waist-high floodwaters during Paramus half marathon
Multiple runners told News 12 they encountered dirty water and strong currents several miles into the race, which created what some described as dangerous conditions.
More Stories
Runners in a Paramus half marathon encountered waist-high floodwaters Sunday morning after heavy rain submerged portions of the course.
The weather conditions prompted some participants to question why the race wasn't cancelled.
Multiple runners told News 12 they encountered dirty water and strong currents several miles into the race, which created what some described as dangerous conditions.
"The flood was up to here," said runner Marijana Dinic, gesturing to her waist and chest level. "I was grabbing this woman next to me, and she grabbed me and was holding me."
Dinic said the water was much deeper and more forceful than she expected.
"I thought maybe 50 meters and it will be over, but after that it was another flood," she said. "Not just flood, but the current was so strong. I had to hold myself to a rail. There was a rail under the tunnel."
Not everyone chose to press on, though.
"I had told my friend the second that we see the river has reached the path, I'm just going to make the safety call for myself," said runner Megan Chesney, who decided not to finish.
Chesney said she was concerned about what could be hidden beneath the floodwater.
"We don't know what's under this water. We don't know where the potholes are," she said. "There could be electricity in the water. There could be glass in the water."
While some runners completed the race despite the conditions, several said they were left wondering why organizers did not cancel, postpone or alter the course.
"It should have been cancelled," Dinic said. "It was not organized properly, I feel."
Participants said runners were informed of only a slight delay before the race began.
"I thought there was some alternative in motion," Chesney said. "I thought we at least checked the whole park or did a scan of the area."
Racefaster organized the half marathon. Runners told News 12 they received no additional announcements beyond the delay before the event started.
"Luckily, I'm not hurt," Dinic said. "I don't think anyone else was hurt. So that's a good thing."
