Wings for Life World Run hosts 10th annual race in Ruimsig

The South African leg of the run started at exactly 13:00 on Sunday, May 7.

Nozuko Mfenyana, Lerato Ramela and Galebalwe Ramorola with Gomotsegang Ramorola.

Ruimsig Stadium was filled with cheers, South African flags, energy drinks, and enthusiastic runners ready to support those in their communities who cannot run themselves.

Also read: Join Wings for Life for their World Run in Ruimsig

Each runner received a medal as they crossed the finish line.

Sandile Mkhize addresses the crowd before the race started.

Wings for Life World Run’s global event was hosted for the first time right here in Roodepoort.

Also read: Wings for Life World Run

The phrase ‘I am running for those who can’t’ was displayed proudly on each and every runner in attendance.

Serodumo, Tumi and Boitsanape Moletsane with Gomotsegang Ramorola

The crowd cheered as the start time grew closer.

Young and elderly, able-bodied, and those in wheelchairs all came together to raise funds and awareness for the Wings for Life World Run and, ultimately, spinal cord injury research.

Sandile Mkhize is ready to start the race.

Angela De Gouveia and Stacey Stewart. Photos: Nicola Jansen van Vuuren.

An astonishing number of 206 728 runners participated in this global event raising a whopping 5,8 million Euros for spinal cord injury research. Ruimsig Stadium hosted 753 runners this year, with James Farnell (33.9km) and Nadia Lombaard (27.9km) announced as the winners of the day.

Shannon Rule, Tamaryn Schenk and Loura Balt.

Hope Mathole, Briann Magwaza, Chantelle van der Walt and Estie Janse van Rensburg.

Florida-based ambassador Sandile Mkhize had the honour of blowing an air horn signifying the start of the race.

“It was a wonderful moment as we celebrated the 10 years of Wings for Life’s World Run in South Africa, as well as acknowledging my own accident that put me in a wheelchair,” explained Sandile.