Thousands run for those who can’t in Centurion

Globally, 120 000 participants raised about R56-million for spinal cord injury research at the sixth edition of the Wings for Life World Run.

May 7, 2019

Felicia Nkhwashu 2 minutes read

Leilani and Leiden Colbet. Photo: Felicia Nkhwashu

More than 4 000 athletes, some in wheelchairs, participated in the annual Wings for Life World race in Centurion on Sunday.

The race is held in numerous locations across the globe at the same time to raise money for the Wings for Life foundation, a non-profit foundation researching a cure for spinal cord injury.

The race which encourages people to run for those who can’t and provides much-needed funding for spinal cord research in 72 countries.

The charity event successfully got the world running as one and continues to bring together people from all walks of life in support of an incredibly worthy cause.

Globally, 120 000 participants raised about R56 million for spinal cord injury research at the sixth edition of the Wings for Life World run.

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Russian Olesya Nurgalieva and Swede Niklas Sjöblom were crowned woman and man South African champions at the race held at the Agricultural Research Council.

Runners had to run as fast as possible to avoid being passed by a moving finish line or so-called “catcher car”, which chases runners along the course or virtually via the app picking up speed until until one athlete is left standing. This moving finish line allows participants of any ability to complete the run.

The slower ones are passed early while the ultra-athletes go on for hours.

Wheelchair-bound athlete Wendy Manwatha from Centurion said she participated for personal reasons.

“I was involved in a car accident in 2010 which resulted in a spinal cord injury. The race gives us hope that we might be able to walk again through the funds raised,” she said.

Another accident survivor who is now wheelchair-bound and an ambassador for the Wings for Life World Run Edwina Makgamatha told Rekord that she survived two accidents.

“The first one was in 2006. I had pelvic injuries and I could not walk for a year and a half. Four years later I was involved in a hit and run which damaged my spinal cord. But I have always been positive throughout my ordeals because I know there is always good that comes out from the bad,” she said.

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Another participant who added a special flavour to the run was 54-year-old Hakim Cahbati who rode his motorbike from Basel, Switzerland, to take part in the Pretoria race.

Cahbati said he left his hometown just after Christmas and has been in South Africa for about a week.

He was caught by the “catcher car” after 13km.

“I have always wanted to run outside Switzerland, I have done six runs and this is my first outside my country.”

Cahbati said he was planning for his race in Dubai.

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