WINGS FOR LIFE WORLD RUN. On Sunday, 77,103 people across 104 countries came together to achieve what had seemed impossible in the current situation. They ran, walked or rolled simultaneously in the Wings for Life World Run charity run. Separated by distance but united in spirit, they raised €2.8 million for spinal cord injury research. Nina Zarina of Russia won her second consecutive women’s Global Championship with 54.23 km. Michael Taylor of Great Britain captured his first men’s Global Championship with 69.92 km.

Marcel Hirscher performs during Wings for Life World Run App Run 2020 in Annaberg on May 3, 2020, photo: Markus Berger for Wings for Life World Run

“We have all experienced limitations and restrictions in our personal lives in the past weeks, but things are getting better. People with a spinal cord injury are in a permanent lockdown their whole life. They too dream of getting their freedom back and doing the things they love again,” said Anita Gerhardter, CEO of the non-profit foundation Wings for Life, whose mission is to find a cure for spinal cord injury. “Today, more than 77,000 people came together to give hope and help to put an end to this permanent lockdown one day. Thanks to them, we are one step closer to that dream.”

Runner performs during the seventh edition of the Wings for Life World Run - App Run in Altenmarkt, Austria on May 3, 2020., photo: Joerg Mitter for Wings for Life World Run

At exactly 11:00am UTC, the participants of 171 nationalities in 104 countries began their run, whether it was day or night in their location. From Austria to Australia and from Tanzania to Taiwan, everyone ran according to local distancing regulations. It was made possible thanks to an App, which enabled everyone to run individually following their own course. Every participant ran or rolled as far as they could until they were caught by the iconic Catcher Car, the moving finish line. 

Thomas Morgenstern performs during the Wings for Life World Run App Run 2020 in Spittal an der Drau, Austria on May 3, 2020, photo: Philip Platzer for Wings for Life World Run

During the final minutes, it all came down to the British newcomer Michael Taylor and two-time Global Champion Aron Anderson of Sweden. In a nailbiter, it was Taylor who prevailed with his 69.92 km to 68.15 km for the Swede. In taking the women’s crown, Russia’s Nina Zarina (54.23 km) held off a determined effort by 2017 Global Champion Dominika Stelmach of Poland to win by 2.98 km.

Global Female Champion Nina Zarina of Russia is seen during the seventh edition of the Wings for Life World Run - App Run in Russia on May 3, 2020., photo: Wings for Life World Run / Red Bull

Lindsey Vonn, the greatest female skier of all time, said, “It’s incredible that so many people have come together for the Wings for Life World Run. There’s no other race like it. So many events had to be cancelled, and there’s this one thing we could all do together for a good cause.”

Austrian ski legend Marcel Hirscher, stated, “It was great to be part of this Wings for Life World Run. Running with the App was something new, and a lot of fun. It’s really something to have in mind that over 77,000 were starting at the same second.”

Marcel Hirscher seen before Wings for Life World Run App Run 2020 in Annaberg on May 3, 2020, photo: Markus Berger for Wings for Life World Run

Dominic Thiem, tennis world no. 3, concluded, “The Wings for Life World Run is a great thing. And it’s for a great cause, because I really hope – and I’m pretty sure – that one day they will be able to heal spinal cord injury. That would be sensational, and for sure a big day in history.”

Colin Jackson, the International Sports Director for the Wings for Life World Run, commented, “The way the global community embraced this opportunity has been magnificent. It shows that people are hungry to connect with others. And to get out and move! I think there’s a strong desire to do good as well.” The Olympic medalist and three-time World Champion in hurdles added, “On the sportive side, seeing Michael and Nina giving everything they had against that virtual Catcher Car was extraordinary. This has been a special day.”

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Around the world, viewers followed the Run online via a “Live Experience” entertainment hub with statistics, stories and posts from the participants themselves. Also supporting the good cause, sportswear experience brand 4F joined forces with the Wings for Life World Run as Global Apparel Partner for 2020.

The eighth edition of the Wings for Life World Run will take place on Sunday, May 9, 2021. For registration updates, complete 2020 global results and unforgettable highlights: www.wingsforlifeworldrun.com

TOP THREE, WINGS FOR LIFE WORLD RUN 2020

Men: 1) Michael Taylor (GBR) 69.92 km, 2) Aron Anderson (SWE) 68.15 km, 3) Dariusz Nozynski (POL) 67.1 km

Women: 1) Nina Zarina (RUS) 54.23 km, 2) Dominika Stelmach (POL) 51.25 km, 3) Martyna Kantor (POL) 50.38 km

About the Wings for Life Spinal Cord Research Foundation

Worldwide, millions of people are dependent on a wheelchair after having sustained a spinal cord injury, most often as the result of a traffic accident or a fall. Wings for Life is a not-for-profit spinal cord research foundation with the single mission to find a cure for spinal cord injury. Since 2004, Wings for Life has funded life-changing research projects and clinical trials around the globe. While a cure is still to be found, steady progress has been made. Every step taken at the Wings for Life World Run is a step in the right direction, because 100% of entry fees and donations goes to spinal cord injury research: www.wingsforlife.com.

About the Wings for Life World Run

On one day each year, the Wings for Life World Run is held across the globe. All participants start at the same time, worldwide, and in 2020 they each ran individually with the Wings for Life World Run App. It doesn’t matter whether they are professional athletes, fun runners or total beginners. There is no finish line. Instead, 30 minutes after the start, a virtual Catcher Car begins pursuit, passing the runners and rollers one after the other. Results aren’t measured in time, but in distance achieved. Best of all: 100% of entry fees and donations goes directly to spinal cord research and will help to find a cure for spinal cord injury. In the seven completed editions since 2014, the Wings for Life World Run attracted more than 690,000 people from 193 nationalities to participate in more than 104 countries across all seven continents.

The Wings for Life World Run App

With the Wings for Life World Run App, people worldwide can join the Run, each on their own, if permitted by any local and national restrictions. A virtual Catcher Car makes it easy and fun.

Press Release
Wings for Life World Run
Sunday, May 03, 2020

www.wingsforlifeworldrun.com
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