Ultrarunner Ryan Sandes is the latest athlete to back Sunday’s virtual Wings for Life World Run with time still left to register for ‘the world’s biggest run ever’.
More than 120,000 participants from over 134 nations are expected to hit the virtual global start line of the event. The organisation notes that this year ‘will break records as never before has there been a running event with so many participants.’
Registration will remain open up until just a half hour before 11:00 UTC on Sunday, May 9 at the website www.wingsforlifeworldrun.com with 100% of all entry fees going towards spinal cord injury research.
Everybody can be a part of the Wings for Life World Run, and this year’s race will be another colourful mix with the field including everyone from novice runners to wheelchair users to ultra distance specialists.
South African Ryan Sandes, winner of the iconic Western States 100-mile race in the United States, will be running with the Wings for Life World Run App for the first time.
The 39-year-old said “Every race has something special for me. The things that come together to make the atmosphere and my memories of a race special are the location, the fans and my personal goal.
“What makes the Wings for Life World Run so special for me is that I’ll actually be running with thousands of people around the world that I probably would never get to run with otherwise. That’s truly special and that’s what I’m looking forward to most.”
30 minutes after the global start, the virtual Catcher Car – a rolling finish line – starts moving and will pick up speed as it catches and then passes participants one at time until the winners are determined.
During the run – which for the top runners could last up to four-and-a-half hours – participants will be kept informed, motivated and entertained by an ‘Audio Experience’.
Well-known personalities from the world of sports and entertainment have lent their voices to the latest feature of the Wings for Life World Run App and will help push the participants forward by serving as drivers of the virtual Catcher Cars or designated motivators during the race.
Anita Gerhardter, CEO of the charity foundation Wings for Life, added “I’m overwhelmed by the worldwide response. Knowing that thousands and thousands of people will be on the starting line together on Sunday for our foundation is a feeling that’s hard to put into words.
“It’s honestly giving me goosebumps. We have a major goal: we want to cure spinal cord injury. It makes me incredibly proud that so many people support us in this endeavour.”
