Stories/Sports/RUNIT's USA West Coast Trials 2025
Competitors at RUNIT's USA West Coast Trials 2025
SPORTS

RUNIT's USA West Coast Trials 2025

Six cities, free entry and turnouts that beat expectations — the collision sport built by the Taua'a and Molimau families makes its American run.

Before the USA West Coast Trials officially began, RUNIT was already heating up across TikTok and social feeds. But once the tour kicked off, the momentum became undeniable. RUNIT, the world's fiercest new collision sport, arrived with force and introduced something rare in the United States. In a country dominated by traditional sports, especially American football, seeing a completely new collision sport rise in real time is not something the USA experiences often.

At every stop, crowds formed early, the energy grew fast, and communities showed up ready to witness something fresh, raw, and electrifying.

The Tour Hit Six Cities

  • Las Vegas, Nevada
  • Salt Lake City, Utah
  • Santa Monica, Ca
  • Irvine, Ca
  • Seattle, Washington
  • Austin, Texas

The Collision Sport Redefining Live Action

RUNIT is simple and intense. One runner. One tackler. A 20 meter by 4 meter battlefield. Victory belongs to the athlete who dominates the collision. Fast-paced and built for both live audiences and global viewership, it has already captured tens of millions of online views. The USA West Coast Trials proved that the excitement is even stronger in person.

Every trial was a free-entry event. Families, athletes, and fans came out to see the home of collisions up close, creating an atmosphere filled with anticipation and curiosity. And at each location, the turnout exceeded expectations, showing that the USA is ready to embrace something new.

The People Behind the Movement

RUNIT was built by six co-founders: Brendan Taua'a, Brandon Taua'a, Virgil Taua'a, Noel Taua'a, Reni Molimau, and Andy Molimau. Together, they transformed a simple idea into a global collision sport phenomenon that blends grit, athleticism, creativity, and cultural pride.

Noel Taua'a remembers the beginning clearly. “We just sparked up an idea and thought we could take this global, and that is what led this idea forward.”

What started as a spark is now evolving into a worldwide movement. For the team, the heart of RUNIT is deeply rooted in identity and heritage.

“It means everything for us as a unit. We take a lot of pride in where we're from and where our parents are from, the sacrifices our ancestors made for us. That's our major motivation in pushing RUNIT to the world,” Noel tells PMN+.

A Mission Bigger Than Competition

The purpose of the USA West Coast Trials went far beyond showcasing the sport. It was about representation and creating a platform for the next generation.

The tour delivered on that mission. Every stop showed that the hunger for something new is real. Athletes lined up, communities gathered, and fans left with a lasting impression of a sport unlike anything else in the country.

“We want to bring unity, especially for our Polynesian people,” Noel shared. “We want to create a platform to show the world that Islanders can do it too. In terms of RUNIT, we want to be a household name, especially in American homes. We know we're not far off. It will take a lot of hard work, but in a couple of years, we believe we can make a big impact in the American market.”

Just the Beginning

The success of the USA West Coast Trials marked a significant moment for RUNIT. From Las Vegas to Austin, the sport captured attention, brought people together, and introduced a movement that is only growing stronger.

What began as an idea between brothers and cousins has become a rising force in sports entertainment. And as the world continues to catch on, one thing is clear. RUNIT is not just entering the American sports landscape. It is reshaping it.

This is only the beginning of what is set to be a global rise. RUNIT is here, and it is ready to keep climbing.

Images provided by the featured individuals or sourced from their public social media profiles and online platforms. All rights remain with the original creators. Originally published in PMN+ Magazine, December 2025 (Vol. 2 No. 12).