What it means to run for those who can’t

Wings for Life World Run celebrates its very special anniversary on May 7th, 2023, when the event will be held for the 10th time to raise money for research into curing spinal cord injury.

When the Wings for Life Foundation was set up by Dietrich Mateschitz and Heinz Kinigadner in 2004, only a small number of projects were focusing on fundamental research – and above all, there was far too little funding. This all changed when the Wings for Life World Run made its debut in 2014.

And so, a special anniversary is being celebrated this year – on May 7th, 2023, people all over the world will come together for the 10th Wings for Life World Run, to run for those who can’t.

South Africa has had approximately 18 000 people participate in the Wings for Life World Run since the first one in 2014 in Stellenbosch.

Spectacular past

Every year, history is written worldwide in this unique race. For example, Nina Zarina, who lives in the USA and has won four out of nine World Runs. Or Aron Anderson from Sweden, who has made the winners’ list no fewer than three times in his wheelchair, leaving all runners behind him.

South Africa has had approximately 18 000 people participate in the Wings for Life World Run since the first one in 2014 in Stellenbosch. The race saw some great results with Coolboy Ngamole placing 16th overall globally running 59.88km and Ntombesinta Mfunzi placing 4th overall globally running 47.57km. The results were topped in 2015, with Eric Ngubane placing 14th overall running 68.86km and Riana van Niekerk, placing 2nd overall with 55.21km. The App Runs that took place in 2021 and 2022 saw approximately 2000 and 2200 people participate respectively.

The local run has seen a good number of wheelchair participants, including Sandile Mkhize: “I am really excited about this year’s Wings for Life World Run, it’s very personal to me, as its the 10th anniversary of my accident. I cannot wait to start training and get together with my friends and everyone else on the 07th of May to run for those who can’t.”

To date, a total of 38.3 million euros has been raised in donations, all of which is invested in research. The Wings for Life World Run 2022 alone yielded 4.7 million euros in donations, due to the 161,892 participants from 192 countries. “The more money we raise, the more studies we can help fund – and the faster we can reach our overall goal,” said Anita Gerhardter CEO of the Wings for Life Foundation “It’s wonderfully exciting to see just how far we have come with something we started back in 2014. A million runners have joined us since then. And right now, our goal is clear: We want to have a million runners on the road at the same time on the same day.” she added.

Highly promising research findings

Thanks to the financial support provided by Wings for Life, researchers worldwide can look for solutions in a number of different areas. For example, Professor Michael Kilgard from the University of Texas is working on stimulation of the vagus nerve, which would allow people with spinal cord injury at a high level to move their hands again. Or Grégoire Courtine, from the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in Switzerland, who has used electrostimulation to enable people with spinal cord injury to walk a few steps again. Another key area is the research presently being undertaken by Professor Stephen Strittmatter. This includes a study at Ohio State University on “Nogo Trap”, which allows the body to regenerate severed nerve fibres, thereby restoring a neural network.

A total of 276 different projects have been provided with funding so far, after going through a strict selection procedure. Dr Verena May, Scientific Coordinator for

Wings for Life, explains: “There are currently 74 research projects around the world, including 16 new ones since 2022. These focus mainly on regeneration, reconstruction and secondary damage.”

When will there be a cure?

This all enables Anita Gerhardter to state unequivocally: “Even though there will never be a wonder pill that cures all cases, great progress has been made over the past few years. There has been a whole host of interesting developments. For some time now, it has no longer been a question of whether there will ever be a cure but rather when this will be. The Wings for Life World Run plays a key role here by raising both valuable donations and awareness.”

FACTS & FIGURES:

Over a million people have taken part in a total of nine Wings for Life World Runs. The main goal now is to soon have a million runners participating in a single event.

119 billion steps have been taken by runners who have participated so far.

38.3 million euros in donations have been raised so far through the Wings for Life World Runs alone. 100% of this money has been received by the Wings for Life Foundation and has therefore been used for spinal cord research.

35,397 participants were at the starting line for the first-ever Wings for Life World Run in 2014. When it was held for the ninth time last year, there was a sensational turnout with 161,892 participants from 192 countries.

Website: www.wingsforlifeworldrun.com/en

Hout Bay | Mount Rhodes

This is a partially complete house has huge potential! Set in a highly reputable area, the external structure is complete and certain parts of the house are currently usable, the rest will require your own imagination and touch to complete.

R4,800,000

VIEW NOW

Hout Bay Heights

This recently renovated house is meticulous and features captivating views of Chapmans Peak and the sea. The neighbourhood is friendly and conveniently close to the beach.

R3,195,000 VIEW NOW