Viral ‘speed running’ challenge hits Church of Scientology New York

After weeks of viral “speed running” videos filmed at the Church of Scientology’s Hollywood building have garnered millions of views, a similar stunt appears to have been attempted in New York.

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On Saturday, a group of individuals gained entry to the midtown Manhattan church after breaking through a locked door.

“During the incident, property was damaged, objects were thrown, and a staff member was physically struck and injured, requiring medical attention,” a spokesperson for the Church of Scientology said in a statement.

Social media videos verified by NBC News show a group of individuals attempting to enter the building through a locked door before eventually gaining access. The video then shows the group filing through inside hallways, and grabbing items, including a folding chair.

Police responded to a 911 call reporting a burglary in progress shortly after 4 p.m. Saturday.

Upon arrival, officers were informed that “a group of unidentified individuals forcibly entered the location through the side door and caused property damage,” A NYPD spokesperson said in a statement.

According to police, the 30-year-old male sustained minor injuries after being “kicked in the leg.” He was not hospitalized, the spokesperson said.

The church said there were roughly 30 people in the group and the disruption endangered staff, parishioners and visitors, and a seminar was underway at the time of the incident.

Following the forced entry, the individuals involved fled in “an unknown direction” and no arrests have been made, the NYPD spokesperson said.

The Church of Scientology said it is fully cooperating with the NYPD investigation and is supplying available evidence, including video.

The incident follows a viral trend based on the video game concept of “speed running.” The videos — predominantly filmed at the Church of Scientology building in Hollywood, California — show participants rushing inside, often dodging church members and security guards, until they are escorted out. Several videos have racked up millions of views on TikTok and Instagram.

“Some online have referred to these incidents as ‘speed running.’ In reality, they involve organized trespasses into religious and public information facilities for social media attention,” a spokesperson for the Church of Scientology said in a statement.

Scientology is a religious group shrouded in privacy that has garnered attention for its celebrity adherents, including Tom Cruise and John Travolta.

In its statement, the church said it welcomes “lawful visitors,” not “individuals forcing entry, damaging property, threatening or injuring people, or targeting religious facilities for online attention.”