David Mzee standing up from his wheelchair and using his rollator

About

Wings for Life World Run

Our mission

Research gives hope

In this moment – while you're reading this – somebody has injured their spinal cord and will be paralyzed. No feeling in their legs, maybe no feeling in their arms or hands either. Immobile. Constantly dependent on the assistance of others. We want to help. As a charity foundation, Wings for Life supports cutting-edge research worldwide. Our big goal: To find a cure for spinal cord injury.

The race format

This race is unique

At the Wings for Life World Run, everyone starts at the same time, worldwide. Professional athletes, fun runners and total beginners are all in it together against the Catcher Car. The moving finish line, the Catcher Car begins its pursuit 30 minutes after the start, passing runners and wheelchair users one after the other until the race is over. The best bit? 100% of all entry fees and donations goes directly to spinal cord research to find a cure for spinal cord injury.

Catcher Car

Against the Catcher Car

The Wings for Life World Run is different. It's not like other races. Everyone across the planet starts their race at exactly the same time: 11:00 am UTC. That means participants in the UK start at 12:00 pm, in Germany at 1:00 pm, in Florida at 7:00 am and so on... There is no finish line. There is a (Virtual) Catcher Car that begins its chase 30 minutes after the start signal. Fun runners, for example, make it to kilometer 5. Professional athletes power on to over 60 km. Do you have a goal in mind? Use the Goal Calculator to figure out the pace you need to set. Your result is NOT how quickly you run, but the distance you cover.

Goal Calculator
Catcher Car speed 11:30 12:00 12:30 13:00 13:30 14:00 14:30 15:00 15:30 16:00