South Africans joins the world in world run

They raced against over 100 000 people in 66 countries across every corner of the planet.

Felicia Nkhwashu

May 6, 2018

Participants of this year’s Wings for Life World Run fly the South African flag high, as they race against people from 200 countries all over the world. Photo: Craig Kolesky for Wings for Life World Run

About 5 000 South Africans participated in the Wings for Life World Run at the Supersport Park in Centurion on Sunday.

The Wings for Life World Run is held simultaneously in numerous locations across the globe with everyone starting at the same time, via an app across the world – whether it is day or night.

All have the same goal: to raise money for the Wings for Life foundation.

The foundation is a non-profit spinal cord research foundation with the single mission of finding a cure for spinal cord injury.

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“Worldwide, millions of people are dependent on a wheelchair after having sustained a spinal cord injury, most often as the result of a traffic accident or a fall,” said Wings for Life spokesperson Natasha Marot.

South Africans were racing against over 100 000 people at more than 200 locations in 66 countries across every corner of the planet.

Runners had to run as fast as possible to avoid being passed by a moving finish line or so-called “catcher car”, which chases runners along the course or virtual in the app; gradually getting faster until each participant has been caught. This moving finish line allows participants of any ability to complete the run.

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The slower ones are passed early while the ultra-athletes go on for hours.

“Hundred percent of the R175 entry fees and donations goes toward helping to find a cure for spinal cord injury,” the organization said.

“Since it was launched in 2014, the World Run has attracted more than 435 000 people from 193 nationalities to participate in more than 58 countries across all seven continents. Altogether they have raised €20.6 million euros while covering more than 4.2 million kilometers.”

One of the runners Kgopolang Mathabela said she liked the race because it gives people an opportunity to make a difference.

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“The race also gives us an opportunity to understand people living with a disability,” she said.

This is the fourth year that the city of Tshwane has been hosting the race.

Each year global winners are given the chance to choose which country they want to go to.

This year, last year’s global winner Dominika Stelmach from Poland chose South Africa as her choice of country.

Local celebrities and SA ambassadors Letshego Zulu; Mapule Ndhlovu; Hlubi Mboya; Thapelo Mokoena; Mika Stefano and Mo-T, Nicole Capper; Mapasekha Makhanya; Patrick Davidson; Brian Capper; Sbonelo Khwela; Kerim Fitz-Gerald; Bboy Vouks; Christine Kalmer and Joshua Mlimi also took part.