Everything you need to know
2 min
VIDEO: Experience Wings For Life World Run in 126 seconds.
Our running anchor made his debut at the Wings for Life World Run event in Stockholm 2019. The results? Well, he did his best – better luck next year.
Wings for Life World Run is a completely unique running race where runners and wheelchair participants start the race at exactly the same time, all over the world. Instead of a finish line, competitors compete against a virtual Catcher Car through the Wings For Life World Run app. This means that there is no set distance or route that you have to run – you set your own goal and your own pace and can run wherever you are. Whether it is 4 km or 60 km does not matter. It is a race for everyone: professional athletes, fun runners, wheelchair rollers and complete beginners.
Remember that since the race is conducted through the Wings for Life World Run app, make sure that you have downloaded the app and registered before the race and that you have a fully charged phone on the day of the competition.
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What is the competition format?
Wings for Life World Run differs from other races. The race starts simultaneously all over the world – exactly at 11:00 UTC. So participants in Sweden start at 13:00in Finland at 14:00, in Florida at 7:00 and so on.
It’s all done via the Wings For Life World Run app and your result is not how FAST you run, but how FAR you run. There is no set course or distance that you have to run. You may run 4 km or run 60 km, it all depends on when the virtual Catcher Car catches up with you in the app.
What is a Virtual Catcher Car you ask yourself? See it as a moving finish line. It begins its hunt 30 minutes after the start of the race at a rate of 14 km / h and steadily increases its speed until the last runners catch up. When the car catches up with you, you have finished your race.
Everything is done via the app, so make sure you download it and register well in advance of the race. On the day of the competition, you open the app on your phone and start the race at 13:00. The app will update you on how far you have run and how far ahead of Catcher Car you are throughout the race.
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When is the race and how do I register?
The race is on 8 May 2022 at 13.00 CET.
The race can be completed anywhere in the world – any route, any place. You simply join via the app.
There will be a food truck, Red Bull, water and fruit available along the course during the day. Good songs and fun vibes are included, as well as a couple exciting surprises including a raffle for a pair of new Hoka shoes and a pre-race warm-up with Run Academy.
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I’m in a wheelchair – can I take part in the race in Hagaparken?
Of course. Wheelchair participants and runners start side by side along the set track in Hagaparken, Stockholm. The only requirement: wheelchair participants must start in an everyday wheelchair.
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Do I need the app to be able to compete?
Yes, you must have downloaded and registered in the app before the race starts. Make sure you do it well in advance. The app is available for both Iphone (iOS 14) and Android (8 Oreo or later) – you can find it in the App Store or Google Play Store.
To participate in the race on May 8, open your app in your phone and the race starts exactly 13:00. The app will keep you updated throughout the race on how far you have run and how far ahead of Catcher Car you are. It will also tell you when you will eventually be arrested. When the race is over, you will be able to see your result on the global results list.
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My app does not work – what do I do?
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