Thousands of South Africans joined the world to run for those who can’t and to find a cure for spinal cord injury.
Earlier today, over 5,000 South Africans took to the streets to run for those who can’t in the fifth annual Wings for Life World Run. Racing against over 100,000 people at more than 200 locations in 66 countries across every corner of the planet, locals were determined to do their personal best as part of greater efforts to raise funds for research into spinal cord injury.
“On one day each year the Wings for Life World Run is held simultaneously in numerous locations and via the App across the world, everyone starting at the same time, whether day or night, and all with the same goal – to raise money for the Wings for Life Foundation.
Under its unique format, participants run as far as they can until they are passed by a moving finish line, the “Catcher Car,” which chases runners along the course or virtual in the App, gradually getting faster until each participant has been caught. This moving finish line allows participants of any ability to complete the run – the slower ones are passed early while ultra-athletes go on for hours.”
100% of entry fees and donations goes toward helping to find a cure for spinal cord injury; and in the four editions since it was launched in 2014, the World Run has attracted more than 435,000 people from 193 nationalities to participate in more than 58 countries across all seven continents.
Altogether they have raised €20.6 million euros while covering more than 4.2 million kilometres.
Thousands of South Africans, both able-bodied and in wheelchairs, started in Centurion which was among 34 international locations. Local and international participants raced simultaneously across 12 time zones in varying light and weather conditions for one cause – to find a cure for spinal cord injury.
Letshego Zulu, Mapule Ndhlovu, Hlubi Mboya, Thapelo Mokoena and Mo-T were just some of South Africa’s most loved celebs that were seen at the starting line to race against marathon runners, fitness fanatics, wheelchair-bound athletes and participants from all walks of life.
While the race has already ended for some, the competition is still fierce with runners pushing hard to stay ahead of the catcher car, driven by 5FM’s Nick Hamman. South Africa is currently in the global lead, with Admire Muzopambwa (RSA) and Dominika Stelmach (POL) currently leading the pack.
With 100% of the R175 entry fee for the event donated towards spinal cord research, the thousands of runners that registered to support this incredible cause have helped to raise over R17-million which will be going towards the life-changing research projects and clinical trials to fund the ground-breaking work done by the Wings for Life Foundation.
Follow the fun and emotion live on Red Bull TV or follow the hashtags #WingsforLife #WorldRun on Wings for Life World Run on Facebook and Twitter.
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at R175 pp you would need 100K runners to get to R17M – how did they raise the other R16M ? Just interested..