Whether you run, roll in a wheelchair, jog or simply walk, every participant in the Wings for Life World Run starts at exactly the same moment, 12:00 am GMT. But you are not running towards the finish line – you are running away from it. Participants will be chased, either virtually or in person, by the event's signature 'Catcher Car', which will give you a 30-minute head start. 

When this moving finish line passes you, you've successfully completed your race, with the last man and woman being caught being crowned global champions. The moving finish line format means that anyone, regardless of fitness level, can complete the race. All you have to do is start!

The Wings for Life World Run will start simultaneously around the world on Sunday 5 May 2024 al 12:00 GMT. The entry fee is £22.

With 100% of entry fees and donations going to vital spinal cord research, all participants will be helping to find a cure for spinal cord injury. "I'm so excited that registration is now open for 2024!"

Colin Jackson speaks

"We had a record number of participants in the last edition of the Wings for Life World Run and our aim is to see even more people on the start line next May," said British hurdling legend Colin Jackson, the event's International Sports Director.

"We're thrilled that this is the largest running event in the world, and we're extremely proud of our participants, as every new registration brings real hope to everyone affected by spinal cord injury," he added.

The Wings for Life World Run is accessible to everyone through virtual and face-to-face events. This means that no matter where, or how you choose to participate, your result will count equally in the global ranking thanks to the Wings for Life World Run App.

Participants in the UK can take part virtually via the app or join one of the in-person app runs taking place across the UK. Locations include Battersea Park, Philips Park in Manchester and Warwick University, with new runs being added right up until race day.

For those who want to be physically chased by the catcher car, there will be events in Austria, Croatia, Germany, Poland, Slovenia, Switzerland and the Netherlands with a celebrity driver will be at the wheel.

A big impact gets bigger

Since the first Wings for Life World Run in 2014, the event has so far raised more than €43.8 million, with 1,293,716 registered participants covering 11,839,989 kilometres in over 195 countries on all seven continents. 

The 2023 edition alone attracted a record 206,728 participants, and the aim for 2024 is to beat that benchmark with even more people taking part. As always, 100% of the £22 entry fee will go towards spinal cord research.

The event is the main fundraiser for the non-profit Wings for Life Foundation, which funds promising spinal cord research and clinical trials. Breakthroughs from these studies are already changing lives, so running on a single day in May really can really make a difference in the search for a cure. 

The benefits of training

Everyone who registers (no matter where or how you choose to run) will receive the official Wings for Life World Run adidas T-shirt to help you get ready for the race. The special commemorative Adidas design will let everyone know that the wearer is running for those who can’t.

In addition, all participants will be offered training support from Runna, the official training partner of the Wings for Life World Run 2024. The first 250 registrations will receive 3 free months of Runna (a value of £47.97), and subsequent entrants will receive 1 free month (a value of £15.99). Claim your place!