Active people from 192 nations or 169 countries took part. At the event in aid of spinal cord research, which began at 1 p.m. (CEST), more people than ever before took to the various routes in Austria, namely 60,900 athletes. The majority of them, 13,500, took part in the “Flagship Run” in Vienna.
Thousands of people chose their access via one of 76 “App Run Events” or were in the middle of the action individually via the app. Numerous current and former sports stars such as Julia Mayer, Marcel Hirscher, Henrik Kristoffersen, Anna Gandler, Lisa Hauser, Manuel Feller, Johannes Lamparter, Matthias Walkner, Benjamin Karl, Andreas Goldberger and Thomas Morgenstern were there on Austrian soil to cover so many kilometers and donations as possible to generate a cure for paraplegia.
8.1 million euros collected
The longest distances were completed by the Japanese Tomoya Watana in Fukuoka with 70.1 km and the Polish Dominika Stellmach in Poznan (Posen) with 55 km. The Frenchman Guillaume Ruel, who was second in the men’s category, was traveling in Vienna and covered 68.29 km before the “catcher car” caught up with him. The best Austrian was Andreas Stöckl, also in Vienna, coming 15th overall. with 60.08 km, and in the federal capital the Japanese Jo Fukuda came even further, finishing eleventh in the world with 61.04 km. Stellmach came 26th overall, best Austrian Kathrin Polke (47.38/120).
8.1 million euros were collected worldwide for spinal cord research through the various runs. “When many people join forces, great things happen,” said Anita Gerhardter, CEO of the Wings for Life Foundation. “Together we will rewrite medical history and find a cure for paraplegia.” In 2025 the event will take place on May 4th.
