The Wings for Life World Run is a truly unique and global race for both runners and wheelchair participants. Instead of a finish line, competitors race side by side to keep ahead of the Virtual Catcher Car. This May, Wings for Life World Run participants in the United States can …
MORE
The Wings for Life World Run is a truly unique and global race for both runners and wheelchair participants. Instead of a finish line, competitors race side by side to keep ahead of the Virtual Catcher Car. This May, Wings for Life World Run participants in the United States can also run together in Santa Monica. Meet up with your friends, download the Wings for Life World Run App and join all the other people running until the Virtual Catcher Car catches you of course. The race starts at exactly 4:00:00 AM. The Virtual Catcher Car takes off 30 minutes after the start at 14 km/h and steadily increases its speed until the last athletes have been caught. 100% of all donations and the entry fees go directly into spinal cord research projects.
The course will run from Red Bull North America Headquarters to Santa Monica Beach. The loop will start at 1740 Stewart St. to Santa Monica pier and back using the bike path. We’ll have Red Bull, water and assorted breakfast items onsite.
The Wings for Life World Run is a global charity event with a unique, and uniquely fun, format. All participants start at the same time, worldwide. It doesn’t matter whether you are a professional athlete, a fun runner or a total beginner. There is no finish line. Instead, 30 minutes after the start, a Catcher Car begins pursuit, passing the runners and rollers one after the other.
The Wings for Life World Run is different. It’s not what you may be used to from other races. First of all, the start signal will show up all over the globe at the same time. Exactly at 11am UTC. That means in London the participants start at 12pm, in Munich at 1pm, in Japan at 8pm, and so on…
There is no finish line. There are Catcher Cars. They start their chase 30 minutes after the start signal, passing one participant after another. Relaxed runners, for example, will be passed at kilometer 5, while professional runners will be sweating it out until kilometer 60.
Your result will not be a time, but rather the distance you have achieved.
Best of all: 100% of all entry fees and donations goes directly to spinal cord research and will help to find a cure for spinal cord injury.
LESS
Beautiful City, Easy Run
This was my first time running more than a 5k, and I loved it! I grew up in this city so it was amazing running through the empty streets. Although … MORE
This was my first time running more than a 5k, and I loved it!
I grew up in this city so it was amazing running through the empty streets. Although it was damp outside, it didn’t rain on us and made for beautiful weather conditions.
I didn’t pick up my bib until that morning and the registration people were a bit rude but once I got all my swag I was good to go. There was also no water available prior to the race.
Overall, very happy with the race. I will be running again next year and trying to hit that 10k this time!
Wings for Life, now my legs need life!
What a great "race"! It's more like "get chased by a car until your legs fall off" :) This was quite the adventure - from getting up before the crack … MORE
What a great “race”! It’s more like “get chased by a car until your legs fall off” 🙂
This was quite the adventure – from getting up before the crack of dawn for a 4am start (a friend of mine didn’t even go to sleep, millennials…), to running through the middle of completely empty streets that are protected at each intersection by a Sheriff, and finished by a car that hunts you down and tells you that you’re done for the day.
Pacing was hard, as you don’t quite know how far you’re going to run. There is an online calculator, but even with that, one doesn’t quite know for sure.
I had a few hiccups at registration and the flow wasn’t ideal, but overall the production was stellar. Given it’s a Red Bull event, I thought the swag was nominal. But come on, it’s a charity race for a good cause, why should I be so greedy?
I’m going to run it again next year…and beat my time/distance…
Great race, amazing cause
This event starts at the same time at 25 different locations around the world, as well as organized runs using their official app. Santa Clarita is lucky enough to have … MORE
This event starts at the same time at 25 different locations around the world, as well as organized runs using their official app. Santa Clarita is lucky enough to have the earliest start time, 4:00 am! Packet pickup was held the day before and on race morning from 2:30-3:45. We got there just before 3:00 to be the crowd. The registration fee is $60 which gets you a bib w/ timing chip, a nice tech shirt, and a swag bag with lights you can wear since it’s dark out. I was able to park in the shopping center garage for free and it was directly next to the start/finish area. They had TV’s set up to broadcast the live feed from around the world and heaters were set up nearby. Southern California was announced as the coldest of all locations, it was around 45 at the start.
The race started at exactly 4:00 and stayed on local roads since they have street lights. Portably light carts were set up on a few stretches of darkness. The portion of the course that I covered was mostly flat with a few hills around the 4 mile mark. The first water station wasn’t until mile 3, so I suggest bringing your own. I was finally caught by the “catcher car” at mile 6.5, but I had a few friends make it to mile 8 and 10.5. Luckily I was caught right by a shuttle stop back to the finish area. The shuttle had a bucket of red bulls since they are the main sponsor, much appreciated at this time of day. Back at the finish everyone was presented their medal and some stuck around to watch the live feed, but I noticed most leaving since it was still cool out.
I was given an entry for this from Lexus Laceup since they partnered with Wings For Life to have a double medal, but I will gladly pay my own way to do this again next year!
Super Fun, Super Unique Event
This race is like no other. the fact that it is being run worldwide all at the same time in quite inspiring. Then, you have the prospect of seeing how … MORE
This race is like no other. the fact that it is being run worldwide all at the same time in quite inspiring. Then, you have the prospect of seeing how far you can get before you are caught by the catcher car. EVERY one can do this run. If you can crawl a half mile, or if you can run 50 miles in 5 hours, you can do this race. Santa Clarita starts at 4 am, so there is not much in the way of crowds or scenery. But the aid stations are functional.
Great concept, cause, & race production!
Ran with about 40k other racers around the world while the rest of Mt friends ran OC. Race production was perfect, parking easy. This race, the finigh line comes to … MORE
Ran with about 40k other racers around the world while the rest of Mt friends ran OC. Race production was perfect, parking easy. This race, the finigh line comes to you. I made it to the 10 k Mark before car caught up to me.