Ryan Sandes’ Tips for the Wings for Life World Run

The Wings for Life World Run is global charity event to raise funds for spinal cord research.

100% of all entry fees and all donations raised through fundraising campaigns go directly to life-changing spinal cord research projects and clinical trials at renowned universities and institutes worldwide.

It’s a unique race in that there’s no finish line, but everyone who starts is guaranteed to finish.

On May 7^th, 2017 at 11am UTC, which works out to be at 1pm South African time, people around the world will line up at the start of dozens of Wings for Life World Runs and run as fast and far as they can before getting “caught”.

Thirty minutes after the race starts, a moving finish line, the “Catcher Car,” chases runners along the course, gradually getting faster until each one is caught. The first runners are passed after a few kilometres and get to celebrate finishing first, while the last man and woman to be caught are declared Global Champions. The current record is 88.44km, held by Giorgio Calcaterra at the 2016 Wings for Life World Run in Milano, Italy.

So how do you train for a race that has no finish and push yourself to do your best? We asked trail runner and Wings for Life World Run ambassador Ryan Sandes for his tips, and this is what he said.

1. There is a great timing chart on the Wings for Life World Run website to give you an idea of what distance you will be able to run. I suggest picking a distance on the conservative side and then rather over achieve on race day 🙂

2. A lot of runners get very excited and start off too fast. Have an idea of what pace you would like to run and try stick to that. Pacing yourself is crucial for the Wings for Life World Run.

3. The race starts midday in South Africa so make sure you stay hydrated and eat enough during the morning period. It’s very easy to not drink enough due to the later start and end up starting the race slightly dehydrated and on the back foot.

4. Train race specific, so do a number of your runs on the road. The road can be very hard on your legs if you are a trail runner like me. Plan your nutrition for race day i.e. when and what you are going to eat and drink.

5. Have fun out there and remember that you are running for those that can’t. Enjoy and see you there!

For more details and to enter click here

Main Image: Ryan and Vannessa Sandes / Wings for Life World Run