Cape Town (South Africa) – On 4 May 2014 at Boschendal Wine Estate in Franschhoek, Western Cape, South African runners of all ages and abilities will join a global adventure when the first WINGS FOR LIFE WORLD RUN kicks off at 12:00pm SAST.
The Wings for Life World Run is unique in its worldwide reach – it gathers runners from 38+ locations on five continents to “run for those who can’t”. Participants will run simultaneously in varying light and weather conditions.
100% of entry fees from the World Run will go to the Wings for Life Foundation, an organisation that funds research into finding a cure for traumatic spinal cord injury.
In South Africa, adding their voices and legs to the cause are actresses Vanessa Haywood and Hlubi Mboya, ultra trail runner Ryan Sandes, C6 quadriplegic super-athlete Pieter du Preez and media personality Ryan O’Connor. They join other World Run ambassadors taking part in the race like former Formula One driver David Couthard, current Formula One World Champion Sebastian Vettel and surf sports legend Robby Naish, among others.
What really makes the World Run unique is that there is no finish line. A ‘catcher car’ will instead chase down runners – allowing each participant the opportunity to set their own goal for the race. Once a catcher car overtakes a runner, their race is over. One could run as little as 5kms or, if quick enough to stay ahead of the catcher car for long enough, the full route of 48kms or more.
Locally, the World Run is proudly supported by two influential South African organisations that firmly believe in finding a cure for spinal cord injuries to change the lives of thousands of our citizens. The QuadPara Association of South Africa (QASA) and the Chris Burger Petro Jackson (CBPJ) Player’s Fund both play an integral role in driving spinal cord injury awareness.
Ari Seirlis of QASA explains: “Achieving a cure for spinal cord injury is the dream of every person with this extreme disability, and it can only be accomplished through research. QASA, representing quadriplegics and paraplegics in South Africa, supports all efforts to fund research and so we are thrilled to be involved in the Wings for Life World Run.”
“In addition to raising funds, events like the Wings for Life World Run are so important to increase public awareness of spinal cord injury and how it results in mobility impairment. We urge members of the public to get involved in the World Run, and stay involved so that together we are advocates for better resources, more research and better infrastructure for South Africans with disabilities.”
For more details and to register for the World Run in Franschhoek, please visit www.wingsforlifeworldrun.com/capetown. Entry to the South African leg of the WINGS FOR LIFE WORLD RUN costs R250 with 100% of entrance fees going to the Wings for Life Foundation. Entries close on 20 April 2014.
Follow the conversation on your favourite social channels with the hashtags #WingsforLife #WorldRun and #mygoal
More about the Wings for Life Foundation:
Founded by former two-time Motocross World Champion Heinz Kinigadner and Red Bull Founder Dietrich Mateschitz in 2004, the Wings for Life Foundation aims to find a cure for traumatic spinal cord injuries. The foundation enables the implementation of important research projects by providing targeted financial support. To find out more about the Wings for Life Foundation, visit www.wingsforlife.com/en.
Quad-Para Association of South Africa (QASA)
QASA is a co-ordinating, policy-making, governing and supporting organisation that strives to prevent spinal cord injury through education, as well as protect and promote the interests of people with mobility impairments. QASA works to formulate national policy and strategy to develop and ensure the full potential and quality of the lives of disabled South Africans. For more information please visit: www.qasa.co.za
Chris Burger Petro Jackson (CBPJ) Player’s Fund
Established to support rugby players who have sustained spinal cord injuries psychologically, physically and emotionally, the fund aims to create awareness for serious injuries in the sport through education. For more information please visit: http://playersfund.org.za/
