Registration for the 2026 edition of the Wings for Life World Run is now open.
Image: Tyrone Bradley
Following a record-breaking year, the world’s largest running event has officially opened registration for its 2026 Flagship Runs and App Runs. Thousands of participants are expected to sign up and take the 13th edition of the Wings for Life World Run to new heights, with 100% of all entry fees and donations funding vital research and clinical trials to find a cure for spinal cord injury.
Inclusive by design, the event unites participants across all levels of experience and ability. First-timers, professional athletes, passionate amateurs, Olympians and ambassadors alike can walk, run or roll side by side, all for a single mission: a future where spinal cord injury no longer means a lifetime of limitation.
Participants may choose to register for a large-scale Flagship Run or one of the many App Run Events taking place worldwide, with every individual registration representing a step towards hope. Last years numbers were incredible with 310,719 participants from around the world taking part in the run, showing the true global scale and spirit of the movement.
In 2025, the Wings for Life World Run expands its South African footprint with Gqeberha joining the line-up for the very first time. With its picturesque coastal paths and enthusiastic running community, Gqeberha injects a vibrant atmosphere and a novel topography into the event, offering local participants an additional chance to contribute to the global movement supporting a noble cause.
Adding to the excitement, Springbok captain Siya Kolisi made a special appearance at the Gqeberha run, inspiring participants with his presence and powerful message of resilience and unity. Highlighting how Siya Kolisi actively participated in the run and interacted with the participants underscored the community's solidarity and the impactful message of collective action.
As the world prepares for the 2026 edition, the Wings for Life World Run continues to grow stronger proving that when people come together for a purpose, incredible things happen. Each stride taken, no matter how small, brings researchers closer to finding a cure for spinal cord injury and restoring hope for millions worldwide.
Registration for the 2026 Wings for Life World Run – including numerous App Run Events (with more to follow), all Flagship Runs and running individually with the Wings for Life World Run App are currently open. For more information visit: www.wingsforlifeworldrun.com.
*About the Wings for Life Spinal Cord Research Foundation Worldwide: Millions of people are dependent on a wheelchair after having sustained a spinal cord injury, most often as the result of a traffic accident or a fall. Wings for Life is a not-for-profit spinal cord research foundation with the single mission to find a cure for spinal cord injury. Since 2004, Wings for Life has funded life-changing research projects and clinical trials around the globe. While a cure is still to be found, steady progress has been made. Every step taken at the Wings for Life World Run is a step in the right direction because 100% of entry fees and donations goes to spinal cord injury research: www.wingsforlife.com.
*About the Wings for Life World Run: Once a year, the Wings for Life World Run takes place around the globe. All participants start at the same time worldwide and run either individually with the Wings for Life World Run App or together in several Flagship Runs. The best part is that any form of the run is all about being there. It doesn't matter how well, fast or far you run, whether you're a professional athlete, hobby runner or an absolute beginner. It is all about having fun while running. For this reason, there is no traditional finish line. Instead, 30 minutes after the start, either a virtual or – in the case of the Flagship Runs – a real Catcher Car picks up the chase and overtakes one runner after another. Results aren’t measured in time but in distance achieved. Best of all: 100% of entry fees and donations go directly to spinal cord research. In the editions of the Wings for Life World Run that have been completed to date, a total of 1,870,253 registered participants from 191 nationalities ran, walked and rolled on all seven continents and together raised a total of €60.53 million to find a cure for spinal cord injury. www.wingsforlifeworldrun.com
DAILY NEWS