The World Will Run For Those Who Can't

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Nov 05, 2013, 07:01 ET

California, Colorado, Florida and New Jersey will join more than 30 countries in the largest simultaneous running event ever staged as part of the 'Wings for Life World Run' to find a cure for spinal cord injury.

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Nov. 5, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Along with more than 30 countries on six continents, the USA will host four simultaneous races as part of the 'Wings for Life World Run' on May 4, 2014. Runners around the globe will participate together in support of bringing awareness to spinal cord injury and to fund research for finding a cure.

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Unlike any other race ever, this global event has no fixed distance or finish line and every runner around the world, from part-time joggers to top professional runners, will start at the exact same time.

Thousands of runners will set off on May 4, 2014 at 10 AM UTC (6 AM ET/3 AM PT) along routes in varying daylight and weather conditions. While it will be early morning in the four USA locations - Santa Clarita, Calif.; Sunrise, Fla.; Denver, Col.; and Atlantic City, NJ - competitors in Germany will set off at midday while those in Taiwan will start at 6 PM local time.

Never has the sporting world seen a race format like this.
With no set distance or finish line, participants are pursued by a moving finish line known as the 'catcher car.' Thirty minutes following the start of the race, all catcher cars globally will begin advancing through the racecourse at the same pace. A participant's race ends once the catcher car overtakes the individual runner. Results will be based on distance rather than time. The male and female runners in each race who cover the most distance before being overtaken by the catcher car will be crowned as local champions of the Wings for Life World Run. The final male and female runners across all runs will be the global champions. This will be the inaugural race with plans to host future runs around the world to find a cure for spinal cord injury.

Among those taking part will be ski racing champion Lindsey Vonn, windsurfing icon Robby Naish, ex-Formula One driver David Coulthard, world class ultrarunner Karl Meltzer, and many other sporting heroes who have all volunteered as event ambassadors.

"I'm inspired by the Wings for Life World Run and what they are trying to accomplish, which is finding a cure for spinal cord injuries," said Vonn. "This is an opportunity for everyone to be part of a global race - and run for those who can't."

It is estimated that 3,000,000 people worldwide are living with a spinal cord injury. Every year 130,000 more sustain a spinal cord injury, followed by paralysis – the main cause being traffic accidents. The advances in research are largely based on private initiatives. Being a non-profit organization based in Austria, the Wings for Life Foundation relies on support and donations to help fund this research. Wings for Life is set up to ensure that a guaranteed 100% of all donations it receives are used exclusively for promising research projects. The mission is clear: to find a cure for spinal cord injury.

The United States will host four races in the following locations:

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.

Atlantic City, NJ - Beach, boardwalk and casinos are what make Atlantic City an ideal place to work, play and of course...run. Located in South Jersey hugging the Atlantic Ocean between marshlands and islands, this seaside town is home to twelve casino resorts, each with its own personality, style and ambiance. The Atlantic City race will start at 6 AM Eastern Time.

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.

Registration is Open
Those wanting to take part on May 4, 2014 have until midnight (UTC) on Sunday, April 20, 2014 to register for one of the runs via www.wingsforlifeworldrun.com. However, participation per race is limited so interested entrants will want to register soon. Also, runners can take advantage of early window pricing until December 1.

As the official global producer of the Wings for Life World Run, Red Bull ensures all money collected by the runs and via the European Merchant Services (EMS) payment systems will go to the Wings for Life foundation.

To download television news and web-quality video, photos and infographic assets for editorial use, please visit http://www.wingsforlifeworldrunnewsroom.com/.

By running you will not only be part of a truly revolutionary global sporting event, but you will join the race to find a cure for spinal cord injury.

www.wingsforlifeworldrun.com

SOURCE Wings for Life World Run