U.S. races planned in Fla., Col. and Calif. on May 4 as part of Wings for Life World Run
The world’s most spectacular running race will take place on May 4th 2014, when thousands of runners will set off simultaneously in a unique race staged simultaneously in up to 37 different courses in 35 different countries on six continents.
Running for those who can’t, the Wings for Life World Run aims to raise funds for spinal cord research and will start precisely at 6 AM ET/3 AM PT at the exact same time in locations across the globe – meaning that runners in some countries will be running from dawn to dusk while others will be racing from dusk to dawn. In the U.S., runners will kick off the race in the early morning at three locations: Santa Clarita, Calif.; Sunrise, Fla.; and Denver, Col. There is still time to sign up for the race at www.wingsforlifeworldrun.com; the deadline for applications is April 20.
A Race Format Unlike Any Other
The Wings for Life World Run is truly for all types of athletes and the format allows each and every participant to set their own personal goals, whether it’s two miles or 60. The outstanding feature of this first such global sporting event is that the moving finish line will be pursuing the racers from behind instead of the racers running towards a set finish line. Exactly 30 minutes after the runners set off at some of the most spectacular locations around the world, official Catcher Cars will set off behind the packs in pursuit of the runners. When a Catcher Car passes a runner, their race is over. The last man and last woman running will be declared the winners. Participants can estimate their goal distance and determine a training regimen by visiting the Personal Goal Calculator on WingsForLifeWorldRun.com.
The world’s first and only simultaneous global endurance event includes a number of breath taking routes, including:
Denver, Col. – Often referred to as the fittest city in the USA, it will host some of America’s best endurance athletes as they compete in the first-ever global head-to-head run. Denver’s athletes are not only challenged with mile high elevation, they will also be beginning their race at 4 AM Mountain Time. The Denver race will begin in the heart of downtown Denver. Runners will then head east out of the city center.
Sunrise, Fla. – This run will take place among palm tree-lined streets in the scenic South Florida community of Sunrise. Runners can expect moderate temperatures and flat terrain leading through suburban landscapes. The Sunrise race will begin at 6 AM Eastern Time at the BB&T Center and wind through the beautiful cities of Sunrise and Weston before making a northwesterly turn along U.S. 27, which leads runners northwest into the Florida Everglades.
Santa Clarita, Calif. – The third largest city in Los Angeles County, Santa Clarita is the only west coast city in the U.S. participating in this global event. Santa Clarita is known for its outdoor lifestyle amenities including more than 70 miles of trails and ample open space, which provides a picturesque course for competitors. At 3 AM Pacific Time, the Santa Clarita race will begin on Magic Mountain Parkway near the roller coaster capital of the world.
The Wings for Life World Run is more than about determining winners; it is, above all, about competing while raising funds for spinal cord research and awareness for the cause itself. More than three million people around the world are living with a spinal cord injury. Every year, at least 250,000 more sustain a traumatic spinal cord injury – the main cause being traffic accidents. Advancement in spinal cord research is largely based on private initiatives. As a non-profit foundation, Wings for Life is dependent on donations. The foundation guarantees that 100 percent of all donations are used for research purposes only. For more about Wings for Life, visit http://www.wingsforlife.com/.
