PLANET EARTH’S MOST unique race gets underway in less than a month and if you haven’t started training you’re going to be left behind, literally.
Over 50,000 have signed up for the event already which is unlike most others in the sense that there is no finish line – you run as far as you can, or until you are caught by a catcher car. More information on that here.
But before that, here are a few reasons why you should click register first!
1) It will motivate you to get training
No matter how far you plan on running on the day you want to do it in some level of comfort. While you’re training you’re getting fit — and maybe inspiring a few others to do the same.
2) You’ll be running for a very worthy cause
The Wings for Life World Run is a global event aimed at raising vital funds for spinal cord research so by running in it you’ll be doing your bit for those who aren’t as fortunate. Hence the slogan, ‘Running for those who can’t’.
3) You’ll be in a very strange and unique event
Dublin will be one of 35 venues where participants compete simultaneously against runners from all around the world. Huh?
The overall winner of the Wings for Life World Run is the man and woman who have covered the most distance before being reeled in by the Catcher Car. Last year, Ethiopian athlete Lemawork Ketama ran a staggering 78.57km in Austria — nearly two full marathons.
Even more remarkable, perhaps, was that he beat Remigio Huaman Quispe into second place by just 90 metres. Meanwhile, Elise Molvik comfortably won the women’s category as she covered a huge 54.79km in her native Norway.
4) You’ll challenge yourself
Setting a goal and achieving it is one thing, but doing so while raising money for others is very satisfying. Whatever distance event you decide to take part in, the satisfaction of taking on a challenge and completing it is huge and, in some cases, life-changing.
5) Broaden your horizons
Running this event is also quite unique in that the same race takes place around the world, so if you’re not in Ireland, you have a choice of many other locations.
Sometimes the lure of running an event in a place you’ve admired, but never been brave or organised enough to visit, can be the final kick in the backside to make you organise it.
Originally published at 18.18