The 2023 Wings for Life World Run saw €5,8 million (R120 million) raised for the Wings for Life Foundation, which is searching for a cure for spinal cord injuries
The annual Wings for Life World Run returned in 2023 with participants from across the globe “running for those who can’t”. The event aims to raise funds for the Wings for Life Foundation, which provides funding to several research projects that are searching for a cure for spinal cord injuries.
All entry fees and donations go toward the fund. Through the Wings for Life World Run app, participants can join from anywhere in the world.
This year, Red Bull South Africa hosted two app events to encourage participants to come together for the run. These were at the Roodepoort Ruimsig Stadium in Johannesburg, and the Green Point Urban Park in Cape Town. Rolling Inspiration attended the app event in Cape Town.
Participants gathered on a field at the East Gate of the Green Point Urban Park. The atmosphere was lively with music, food stalls and a big screen to showcase the runners from across the globe. The event even boasted a Kaapse Klopse band.
In the build-up to the run, the Red Bull South Africa team took participants through a quick warm up. Thereafter, everyone gathered on the walkway facing the East Gate for the countdown. Participants took off down Vlei Road, up Fritz Sonnenberg Road towards Beach Road before turning onto the Sea Point Promenade, and finally coming back through the Green Point Urban Park through the West Gate.
They would repeat the route, which was close to five kilometres, until they were caught by the virtual Catcher Car. Once caught, participants made their way back to the start to collect their medals, handed over by QASA members, and a complimentary Red Bull.
Riaan Barnard was the overall winner of the South African leg of the race with 47.08 kms. Jenna Spooner was first among the woman participants with 42.62 kms. An estimated 4 700 people participated in South Africa.
Globally, there were 206 728 participants who raised an estimated €5,8 million (R120 million). Anita Gerhardter, CEO of Wings for Life, said: “The Wings for Life World Run acts like a turbo for spinal cord research. With the money raised, we have already been able to help several projects make the leap into the clinics to be tested with patients who have sustained spinal cord injuries. This in itself is a great success, and we’ll see even greater progress in the future.”
Scientific Director of Wings for Life, Dr Jan Schwab, shared: “I like running and this run is of particular concern to me. It creates awareness for people who have to live with a spinal cord injury.”
Research is expensive, Dr Schwab explained. The millions raised by the Wings for Life World Run every year is “important money and enables Wings for Life not only to fund a larger number of projects, but also to conduct clinical studies that are more expensive. The run is good news for research.”
He added: “On behalf of the many scientists who have received funding and on behalf of the entire field of research: I’d like to say a big thank you to all participants.”
The global event will return on May 5, 2024. Entries will open later this year.