The inaugural WFLWR hosted more than 35,000 athletes globally, of which more than 600 participants ran in Franschhoek. The WFLWR changed the face of racing as all over the world, runners start simultaneously in varying light and weather conditions. Instead of racing towards a finish line, runners keep out of reach of a catcher car equipped with electronic sensors for as long as possible, meaning that each individual runner races against an international field and themselves.
In 2014, after five hours of race time, just three athletes were left running. Only about 90 meters separated the global champion in Austria from the runner-up in Peru. The South African ladies winner, Ntombesintu Mfunzi, placed third in the international ladies race, while South African men's winner Coolboy Ngamole placed in the top 20 of the world's male runners.
One hundred percent of entry fees from the WFLWR go to the Wings for Life Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation that funds research projects around the world that seek to find a cure for traumatic spinal cord injury. More than €3 million was raised by the WFLWR in 2014 - about R43.5 million.
"In addition to raising funds, events like the Wings for Life World Run are needed to increase public awareness of spinal cord injury and how it results in mobility impairment. We urge South Africans to get involved in the WFLWR, and stay involved so that together we are advocates for better resources, more research and better infrastructure for South Africans with disabilities," says Pieter du Preez, local Wings for Life World Run Ambassador and C6 quadriplegic super-athlete.
Colin Jackson, known as one of the world's best hurdle runners, is International Sports Director of the race, and says, "Spinal cord injury could happen to anyone. Everyone is an awkward slip or fall away from a shocking, life-changing accident. And there's not enough investment into research about it. We need to raise money so we can capture the best scientists who will stick around and make a real difference in people's lives."
International sports personalities and celebrities worldwide rallied and became ambassadors as well as active participants in the 2014 event: Austrian ultra-runner Christian Schiester; Danish Ironman European champion Camilla Pedersen; ski legend Luc Alphand; Chilean model and TV host Javiera Acevedo; Olympic champion Aksel Svindal and F1 driver Mark Webber; and former F1 driver David Coulthard. In South Africa, adding their voices and legs to the cause in addition to Pieter du Preez were actresses Vanessa Haywood and Hlubi Mboya, and ultra-trail runner Ryan Sandes.
For more details and to register, visit the Wings for Life World Run website. Like the WFLWR Facebook page and follow WFLWR on Twitter for updates (#WorldRun #WingsForLife).
