FOR anyone who has ever dreamed of being part of a record-setting global event,  this is your chance.

In less than 75 days, hundreds of thousands of people around the world will take part in this year’s Wings for Life World Run; which this year is aiming to break its own record as the largest running event in the world.

The Wings for Life World Run is the most inclusive running event in the world, with a signature format that embraces participants of every fitness level, whether they run, roll in a wheelchair, jog or simply walk. What’s unique about the run is that everyone will start at the exact same time across the globe: on Sunday May 4th, at 11.00am UTC or 12.00pm Irish time.

But they don’t run toward the finish line – they run away from it. Participants are chased by the App’s signature “Catcher Car,” which gives them a 30-minute head start. When this virtual finish line moves past them, they’ve successfully completed their race.

The 2024 edition shattered records as over a quarter of a million participants helped to raise €8,104,499 for spinal cord research. The total of 265,818 Wings for Life World Runners included 192 nationalities as they set off simultaneously in 169 countries, and they covered an average of 11.5km each, for a total distance

equivalent to nearly 50 times around the globe.

Registration costs €25, and you can sign up today via www.wingsforlifeworldrun.com. The run is the primary fundraiser for the not-for-profit Wings for Life foundation, with 100% of entry fees going directly to research toward finding a cure for spinal cord injury.

Following the biggest summer of his career, Swedish-American pole vaulter Armand “Mondo” Duplantis, pictured inset right, has come on board as a new global ambassador for the Wings for Life World Run. He will be joined by Austrian tennis star Dominic Thiem as global ambassadors for what is the 12th edition of the run this May.

“I’m super excited and honored to be a global ambassador of the Wings for Life World Run. I think it’s such an amazing initiative.” Duplantis added: “Running for those who can’t – it’s such a beautiful event and a beautiful thing to be a part of. It’s something really special and I just can’t wait.”

The Wings for Life World Run starts simultaneously around the world at 11:00 am UTC / 12pm Irish time on Sunday May 4th, 2025.