“I only run if someone is chasing me.” Ha ha Mr. Comedian. Guess what, there is a new race and it’s designed just for you.
The inaugural Wings For Life World Run follows a new format in which someone is chasing you, and that someone is in a car. You will get caught. It’s not a matter of if, but when.
The last person caught by the chase car wins.
The race format is pretty simple but sounds like a lot of fun: A half hour after the start, an official “catcher car” will begin to pursue runners. The car’s pace will accelerate at predetermined times. When the car passes a runner, they are done and catch a shuttle back to the start.
There is no set distance in this footrace, which takes place simultaneously on 40 courses around the world on May 4. The faster a runner moves, the farther they will go.
This could be a painful run for those who pace just over a 3-hour marathon, as the pace car is set to cross the 26-mile mark at 3:05. Having that car breathing down your neck might be the push some people need to set some personal records.
Faster than a 3-hour marathoner? You’ll have 3:54 to go 35 miles. Or just 5:06 to go 50 miles. I can’t imagine many runners will make it farther than that.
The last male and female runner caught wins.
100% of proceeds will go toward Wings For Life, a foundation that funds research into finding a cure for spinal cord injury.
In North America, the race will kick off at 3:00 a.m. in Santa Clarita, Calif; 4:00 a.m. in Denver, Colo., and Saskatoon, Canada; 5:00 a.m. in Cancun, Mexico; and 6 a.m in Sunrise, Fla. For the time-zone challenged, they are all happening at the same time.
With 40 locations around the world, there’s a fair chance a race will be happening in your neighborhood. Registration is $50 and it all goes to charity. For more information and to register, visit Wings For Life World Run. —Sean McCoy
