Going Out: Take to the track for Wings for Life World Run

Denzil Pinto 11:36 24/04/2016
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  • There is time: You can still sign up for the May 8 run at Dubai Autodrome.

    Hundreds will flock to the Dubai Autodrome on Sunday, May 8 for the charity run at 15:00 but there’s still to time to join them.

    You will be among the thousands of athletes running across the globe at the same time with the event being held in 33 different venues across six continents. It is open to regular runners, as well as those using wheelchairs.

    What makes this event stand out is that it’s a race that has no finish line. “Runners will begin the race and continue running around the track. After a half an hour, a chasing car will be driven and once they overtake the runner, they will have to stop,” said their ambassador Jarrett Martin, who suffered a spinal cord injury after a parachuting accident in 2009.

    Although there are prizes, it’s the participation that is the real winner with every single dirham of the Dh195 entry fee donated to spinal cord research.

    “This includes not only the registration fees for the participants, but also income from our sponsors and partners and fundraising activities,” said Anita Gerhardter, CEO of Wings for Life.

    “We are very proud to offer this unique guarantee, which wouldn’t be possible without the support of the Red Bull Group. The company not only covers our costs but also of the foundation itself.”

    There is time: You can still sign up for the May 8 run at Dubai Autodrome.

    There is time: You can still sign up for the May 8 run at Dubai Autodrome.

    Last year, a total of €4.2million was raised and the event has gone from strength to strength since it was launched in 2014.

    And Gerhardter expects next month’s event to be no different and has urged people in the UAE to get involved.

    “The Wings for Life World Run is an event for everyone. Everyone who has a regular, everyday wheelchair can take part – side by side with the runners in one race,” she said.

    “Our goal is pretty much the same as for the years before. We would like to attract even more participants, we would like to raise event more money for spinal cord research and of course we also aim to see lots of happy runners who had a great time participating and who want to join us year after year.”

    Martin, who will be among those competing in the event which has been organised in partnership with Emirates NBD, XDubai and Dubai Sports Channel, added: “People may not realise the impact that spinal cord injury can have on somebody’s life but by taking part it will be a big boost for helping those who suffer.

    “It can go a long way in raising awareness and hopefully a cure can be found one day.”

    What: Wings for Life World Run, Dubai
    Where: Dubai Autodrome
    When: Sunday, May 8 at 15:00
    Contact: For registration, visit www.wingsforlifeworldrun.com/ae

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