A road race in New Jersey turned into a harrowing ordeal when severe flash flooding submerged major sections of the course.
Runners participating in the Racefaster Half Marathon in Paramus were forced to trek through rising floodwaters that reached knee to waist height.
Torrential rainfall battered Bergen County over the weekend, dumping between four and five inches of water across the region.
The excessive precipitation caused dangerous pooling along the athletic route, particularly in areas surrounding the overflowing Saddle River.
Despite the hazardous weather conditions and flooded trail, approximately 250 determined runners managed to complete the entire course.
Visual evidence showed participants fighting against fast-moving waters while clinging to nearby park railings to prevent getting swept away.
Former reality television personality Zac Clark was among the shirtless athletes caught in the deep waters during the weekend event.
Clark recorded cell phone video footage of himself and fellow participants navigating a heavily inundated underpass along the trail.
Reflecting on the unexpected chaos while capturing the flooded path on camera, Clark expressed his total disbelief.
“Bro, this is nuts!” Clark said in cell phone footage.
Prior to stepping onto the course, Clark repeatedly monitored his messages for any critical updates from event coordinators.
“I keep checking my email from the race directors and get no notifications about them canceling,” Clark said.
He added that the total absence of an official race cancellation left him uncertain yet willing to move forward.
“So I’m like, ‘OK,’” Clark said of his decision to run despite hesitation.
Event organizers for the Racefaster Half Marathon did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding safety measures.