World Class Athletes Lindsey Vonn, Ryan Sheckler And Jimmy Spithill Headline Global Ambassador List For Wings for Life World Run

SANTA MONICA, Calif., March 26, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- There are 3 million people currently living with a spinal cord injury, and each year 250,000 are traumatically injured – the main cause being traffic accidents. The Wings for Life World Run is a first of its kind running race organized to raise awareness and funds for spinal cord injury research. The event will take place on May 4, 2014 in 35 different locations around the world, simultaneously.  One hundred percent of registration fees go directly to the Wings for Life Foundation to fund research to cure spinal cord injury. In the U.S., runners will kick off the race in the early morning at three locations: Santa Clarita, Calif.; Sunrise, Fla.; and Denver, Col. There is still time to sign up for the race at www.wingsforlifeworldrun.com; the deadline for registrations is April 20.

"I'm inspired by the Wings for Life World Run and what they are trying to accomplish, which is finding a cure for spinal cord injuries," said ski racing champion and Wings for Life Ambassador Lindsey Vonn. "This is an opportunity for everyone to be part of a global race - and run for those who can't."

The Wings for Life World Run is truly for all types of athletes and the format allows each and every participant to set their own personal goals, whether it's two miles or 60. While running isn't necessarily the first sport for many participants, dozens of notable athletes have dedicated their support in finding a cure for spinal cord injury by registering for May 4 in the following cities, whether they run or simply help raise awareness over the coming weeks and months:

Denver, Col. – Often referred to as the fittest city in the USA, it will host some of America's best endurance athletes as they compete in the first-ever global head-to-head run. Denver's athletes are not only challenged with mile high elevation, they will also be beginning their race at 4 AM Mountain Time. The Denver race will begin in the heart of downtown and runners will then head east out of the city center. Notable athletes who have dedicated their support include champion skier Nick Goepper, mountain biker Rebecca Rusch, ultrarunner Karl Meltzer, skier Chris Davenport, snowmobile star Levi LaVallee, skier Grete Eliassen and ski jumper Sarah Hendrickson.

Sunrise, Fla. – This run will take place among palm tree-lined streets in the scenic South Florida community of Sunrise.  Runners can expect moderate temperatures and flat terrain leading through suburban landscapes. The race will begin at 6 AM Eastern Time at the BB&T Center and wind through the beautiful cities of Sunrise and Weston before making a northwesterly turn along U.S. 27, which leads runners northwest into the Florida Everglades. Mountain biker Aaron Chase, wakeboarder Steel Lafferty, surfer Jamie O'Brien, BMX rider Kevin Robinson and lacrosse superstar Paul Rabil are supporting the Sunrise race.

Santa Clarita, Calif. – The third largest city in Los Angeles County, Santa Clarita is the only west coast city in the U.S. participating in this global event. Santa Clarita is known for its outdoor lifestyle amenities including more than 70 miles of trails and ample open space, which provides a picturesque course for competitors. At 3 AM Pacific Time, the Santa Clarita race will begin on Magic Mountain Parkway near the roller coaster capital of the world. Since the event will take place at night, a fun glow-in-the-dark theme will electrify runners and help light their pathway to their personal finish line. Ambassadors include America's Cup champion skipper Jimmy Spithill, skateboarder Ryan Sheckler, snowboarder Louie Vito, surfer Ian Walsh, BMX dirt biker Corey Bohan, paraglider Honza Rejmanek, windsurfers Robbie Naish and Kai Lenny, BMX dirt biker Mike "Hucker" Clark, and freestyle motocross stars Robbie Maddison, Ronnie Renner and Wes Agee.

ASICS America recently announced its involvement as the official North America footwear and apparel sponsor for the inaugural World Run race. Each race participant at these locations and Saskatchewan, Canada, will receive a custom Wings for Life-branded ASICS t-shirt.

The outstanding feature of this first such global sporting event is that the moving finish line will be pursuing the racers from behind instead of the racers running towards a set finish line. Exactly 30 minutes after the runners set off at some of the most spectacular locations around the world, official Catcher Cars will set off behind the packs in pursuit of the runners. When a Catcher Car passes a runner, their race is over. The last man and last woman running will be declared the winners. Participants can estimate their goal distance and determine a training regimen by visiting the Personal Goal Calculator on WingsForLifeWorldRun.com.

To learn more about how ambassadors are raising awareness as well as unique human interest stories from those affected, visit Reggie Bush's training interview with Runner's World and a video showcasing a day in the life of quadriplegic surfer Barney Miller. Join the ambassadors in helping to fund research to find a cure for spinal cord injury and register to race today!

For hi-res images and video content, please visit: www.wingsforlifeworldrunnewsroom.com.

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SOURCE Wings for Life World Run