Dubai runners turn out in force for Red Bull Wings for Life

Sport360 staff 13:57 09/05/2016
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  • The Dubai leg was a hit.

    With no pre-determined finish line, runners had to keep pace ahead of the catcher car, this year a BMW X5 driven by Arab TV personality Mustafa Agha, his car acting as the moving finish line for entrants.

    In total the global run has made over Dhs27.6m, all of which going towards finding a cure for spinal cord injuries that affect millions of lives worldwide.

    This event was Dubai’s second participation in the global race, which has helped provide much needed research funds for its cause.

    This year’s winner in the Men’s division in Dubai was Portuguese runner Helder Santos, who covered 54.34 kms. The crown of the women’s division went to Columbian Carolina Gutierrez, who covered a total distance of 21.52 kms.

    “This was an exhausting yet exhilarating run, knowing that I was running with hundreds of people behind me, and thousands of people around the world, in supporting a worthy cause,” said Santos.

    “Everyone who was running did so with a spirit of encouragement as we all did it for those who can’t. Crossing the virtual finish line when the Catcher Car passed was a sensational experience, one unlike I’ve ever experienced.”

    After the catcher car passed her, Gutierrez said: “This was a challenging run given the weather conditions, which meant I had to dig really deep to be able to cover this much distance. I’m just ecstatic at the turnout in Dubai and at everyone’s performance in this heat.”

    Globally, millions are dependent on wheelchairs having sustained a spinal cord injury, with the leading causes being traffic accidents and falls.

    Since its inception in 2014, the Wings for Life World Run has raised more than €7 million towards research to find a cure for spinal cord injury. Every step taken at the Wings for Life World Run is a step in the right direction.

    “The challenges faced by those with spinal cord injury are enormous. It’s not just about being unable to walk. It’s also about what you don’t see, like bladder and bowel issues, breathing problems or chronic pain,” said Wings for Life CEO Anita Gerhardter.

    “So congratulations and thank you to everyone who took part, donated or volunteered. You’re giving hope to those living with spinal cord injury, and the funds you’ve raised will empower brilliant researchers to move forward with their work. They won’t stop until a cure is found – and I hope you won’t, either.”

    Registration for next year’s run on May 7, 2017 is now open. To register and for more information, visit www.wingsforlifeworldrun.com.

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