Zac Clark has spoken out after getting caught in flash flooding during a New Jersey half-marathon.
The former “Bachelorette” contestant, 40, was among roughly 250 runners who completed Sunday’s Racefaster Half Marathon in Paramus, Bergen County, after organizers delayed the start by two hours rather than canceling despite severe weather warnings. Clark documented the treacherous conditions in cell phone footage that showed runners wading through waist-high water on an underpass along the trail.
“Bro, this is nuts!” Clark said in the footage, panning his camera to reveal himself shirtless alongside other runners submerged up to their knees.
The decision to proceed with the race drew sharp criticism from participants who said they received no communication from organizers about cancellation even as emergency alerts flooded their phones. Paramus received between four and five inches of rain Sunday, creating dangerous pooling along the course particularly around the Saddle River.
Garrett Nathan, one of the runners who completed the event, said New York he had serious reservations before arriving at the starting line. “I started getting all these national flood warnings for the area saying, ‘Flash flood warning, watch out,'” he recalled.
Nathan said he repeatedly checked for updates from race officials but found none. “I keep checking my email from the race directors and get no notifications about them canceling, so I’m like, ‘OK,'” he continued, explaining his eventual decision to run despite the warnings.
Wild video from the event shows runners clutching railings as they struggled against rushing water to avoid being swept away on the course. The footage circulated widely online, drawing attention to what many participants viewed as a reckless organizational choice.
Clark rose to national prominence as a contestant on Season 16 of “The Bachelorette” starring Tayshia Adams in 2020, ultimately winning the season though the couple later ended their engagement. He has since maintained a public profile focused on fitness and sobriety advocacy.
The Racefaster Half Marathon typically draws competitive and recreational runners to the Bergen County area for a 13.1-mile course through suburban northern New Jersey. Sunday’s event was originally scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. Before organizers pushed the start to 10 a.m. In response to weather concerns.
Multiple runners who completed the course told local media they were surprised and alarmed by the depth of water in several sections, particularly the underpass where Clark filmed his footage. The area around the Saddle River saw the most significant accumulation during the hours-long rainfall.
Organizers have not publicly addressed questions about why the race proceeded or whether emergency protocols were in place for flash flood conditions.