County officials were reviewing all circumstances surrounding Racefaster's half marathon through Saddle River County Park in Paramus, according to Derek Sands, Deputy Chief of Staff to the office of Bergen County Executive James Tedesco.
"The event was not sponsored, organized, or operated by Bergen County," the statement reads. "The County issued a permit allowing the organizer to use portions of the park, but responsibility for the planning, management, and operation of the race rested with the private organizer.
One runner told NBC New York that the start time was pushed back two hours, but nothing else was done despite flash flood warnings popping up on his phone.
Prior to the race, County personnel from the Park’s Department and the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office advised Racefaster to use an alternate route specifically intended to avoid areas of the park at highest risk of flooding, according to the county's statement. Despite that guidance, a number of race participants chose to disregard the alternate route and proceed at their own risk through flooded areas.
"The County is investigating the organizer’s compliance with the conditions of its permit," the county said. "The Sheriff’s Office is also reviewing the conduct of race participants, including individuals who entered County park ponds and other restricted areas. Additionally, as a result of Sunday’s incident, the race organizer will be placed on probation with the Bergen County Parks Department’s permitting office and will not be permitted to organize races within the Bergen County Parks System for a minimum of one year."
Racefaster had not returned Daily Voice's request for comment placed Sunday, Sept. 13 as of Monday evening.
Zac Clark, a former contestant on ABC's "The Bachelorette," shared footage from the course showing runners wading through water up to their chests.
Racefaster has been in business for nearly a decade and was founded by Aidan Walsh, a Dubliner who won five national gold medals, eight Northeast conference gold medals, several international gold medals and a fourth-place finish in the Olympic Trials, the company website says. Racefaster has organized dozens of local races across Bergen County over the years.
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