Sport stars launch third year of Wings for Life - a charity run with a twist

Runners from all walks of life are encouraged to sign up for one of the world’s most unique races which will be held in Dublin this summer.

Entries are now open for Wings for Life – the race where the finish line chases you instead of the other way around.

It is to be the third year of the global charity event which sees more than 100,000 people run at the same time in 34 different locations worldwide.

This year, the event takes place on May 8 at 12pm. The Irish leg of the race will start at the seafront in Dun Laoghaire and winds south towards Bray and Greystones.

Every single runner will begin at the same time and, 30 minutes after the starters’ pistols, the Volkswagen Catcher Car will set off to steadily catch up on the field.

Since there’s no static finish line, everyone finishes the race.

As the car passes each person, that runner has finished. Eventually, as cars across the world simultaneously bear down on the leaders in each of the 40 locations, only one person will still be ahead of the pack and will win the competition.

All money raised as part of the event will go toward finding a cure for spinal injuries – an issue particularly relevant to those heavily involved in sports.

As such, a raft of sporting heroes turned out to launch Wings for Life earlier today. Notable personalities included Cork camogie captain Ashling Thompson, former Ireland and Munster rugby player Felix Jones, Galway hurler Joe Canning and boxing champion Michael Conlan.

“Spinal cord injury is a serious risk for all sportspeople and as such I am delighted to support the Wings for Life World Run,” said Conlan.

“The race both raises awareness and funding for spinal cord research. I would encourage runners of all abilities to get behind the race and run for those who can’t on Sunday 8 May in Dun Laoghaire.”

Last year the event saw 101,280 participants in 33 countries across 12 time zones raising 4.2 million euro.

Japan’s Yuuko Watanabe was crowned 2015 Wings for Life World Run Female Global Champion with 56.33km, while Lemawork Ketema of Ethiopia repeated as men’s Global Champion in running to a distance of 79.9km.

Entry is €30 per person - runners can register at www.wingsforlifeworldrun.com.