Running
Join the Wings for Life World Run – where the finish line catches you!
The world's biggest running event brings runners, walkers and wheelchair users together for one purpose. Here's what makes “the run for those who can’t” unlike any other race.
Registration is open for the next Wings for Life World Run on May 5, 2024, and if you’re thinking about signing up, there’s no one better than the event’s International Sports Director, former UK hurdling star Colin Jackson, to add to your motivation. Here’s his personal take on why he can’t get enough of this unique opportunity to support a great cause.
Colin Jackson leads a training run in London
© Darren Wheeler/Red Bull Content Pool
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The format
Since 2014, the Wings for Life World Run offers a race where the finish line crosses you, not the other way around. Jackson explains:
“What's unique about our format is the Catcher Car, which is, in essence, a finish line that moves to you. That allows everybody to finish, so you can happily walk, run or roll in a wheelchair and just stay ahead of the Catcher Car as long as you possibly can. That’s what makes it inclusive and also exciting!”
One of the standout highlights from the event's history includes Switzerland’s David Mzee walking across the start line in Zug in 2019. Mzee had been paralysed for years due to a spinal cord injury, but thanks to participating in a clinical trial, he was able to walk 390m before the Catcher Car caught him. Watch him in action below...
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David Mzee walks the Wings for Life World Run
David Mzee helped launch the 2019 Wings for Life World Run on Sunday May 5 by getting up from his wheelchair to walk over the start line in the Swiss town of Zug.
02
The cause
The run is the primary fundraiser for the not-for-profit foundation Wings for Life, whose mission is to find a cure for spinal cord injury. You can sign up to run here.
Proceeds from the Wings for Life World Run aid spinal chord injury research
© Richie Hopson / Red Bull Content Pool
“When you realise that 100 percent of the entry fees and donations go directly to spinal cord injury research, signing up for the Wings for Life World Run is really important,” Jackson explains. “You become part of a family, giving hope to so many people. I’ve spoken to a lot of experts – scientists, technicians and so on – and they say we really will find a cure for spinal cord injury. So I know that by raising funds and contributing, we’re going to change lives.”
03
The simultaneous start
“What I love about our event is that the start time is exactly the same everywhere in the world,” says Jackson, referring to 11:00am UTC. “Some people are running in the night, some in the morning, others in the afternoon. People are also running in all sorts of climates. When I see wave after wave of people go past on screen, it just takes my breath away. All running for the same cause.”
Running by torchlight in Melbourne for the Wings for Life World Run
© Mark Dadswell for Wings for Life World Run
04
The Wings for Life World Run app
In the Wings for Life World Run, you have the choice of running at a city Flagship Event or with the Wings for Life World Run app, which has a virtual Catcher Car and a fun audio experience.
Jackson elaborates: “The app is great because it gives you the ability to run wherever it’s convenient, with friends or on your own, yet you’re still connected with the world. You can even use it for a Preparation Run to see how far you might go before the Catcher Car reaches you. So it’s a fantastic thing.”
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The Wings for Life World Run app means you can join in from any location
Download the Wings for Life World Run app and take your training up a gear.
05
The vibe
No matter what your running style or fitness level, the Wings for Life World Run is a day out to remember.
“Mass participation events are so good, so exciting and I think ours is most probably the top,” Jackson declares. “The Wings for Life World Run vibe is incredible: people dressing up in fancy outfits, or talking about the challenge of the run itself… There’s a community feel that you’re all together. You could be brothers and sisters, running on different courses, but all at the same time and all appearing on the same result list. I just love it.”
Ready to experience that vibe yourself in 2024? You can find out more and register for the Wings for Life World Run here.