Visually impaired runner, Sinead Kane has today confirmed her participation in Wings for Life World Run, taking place in Dun Laoghaire and in 35 locations worldwide on Sunday 3 May. Sinead will run alongside her aid John O’Regan, Irish ultra runner and adventurer and winner of Wings for Life World Run last year.
Inspirational, Sinead Kane was born with 5% vision in each eye and has had to overcome a lot of challenges in her life. She started running three years ago and has since competed in several long distance races including the 50k national championships and the Dublin Marathon, where she was the first visually impaired female to ever compete.
Her success at running is a testament to her determination, courage and ability to challenge herself despite her disability. Running alongside her is one of Ireland’s best-known long distance runners, John O’Regan, who was the 2014 winner of the Irish leg of Wings for Life World Run.
On Sunday 3 May 2015 (12pm Irish time), John and Sinead will join thousands of runners in Brazil. At the same time tens of thousands of runners of all abilities, fun runners and fanatics, young and old, will come together in Dun Laoghaire and in over 40 locations to run the Wings for Life World Run.
Commenting on the announcement, Sinead Kane said:
“John has been instrumental in helping me achieve my running goals. Having a guide who trains and runs with me is vital. Without John, I wouldn’t be able to competitively compete in long distance races. He is one of Ireland’s best-known long distance runners and it has been a privilege for me to run with him over the last couple of months. I am delighted to be invited to run in the Wings for Life World Run with John. It is a very unique race that raises awareness and funding for spinal cord research. “
John O’Regan added:
“Sinead is an outstanding runner and I have been very fortunate to train with her over the last few months. While she only started running a few years ago, she has achieved more in that time than most Irish runners. As winner of last years Wings for Life World Run race, I have the opportunity to run in one of 35 locations worldwide and I am delighted that Sinead will be running alongside me. When the world run starts in Dun Laoghaire on 3 May, I’ll be at the start line with Sinead in Brazil. I would encourage all Irish runners of all abilities to join thousands of runners and register now for this very unique race.”
The Wings for Life World Run is a very unique race in that the finish line catches you. Thirty minutes after the athletes start, a catcher car, driven by Irish & Munster rugby player, Simon Zebo will begin to follow all runners. Driving slowly first, but increasing its speed at given periods, the Zebo-driven Catcher Car is the moving finish line. The winner will be deemed the last person to be caught by the car, both in Ireland and globally.
Starting on the seafront in Dún Laoghaire, Irish participants will run south towards Bray and Greystones, enjoying the beautiful coastal views and scenic landscape of the East Coast. You can view the full course here. There’s no static finish line, no set distance. Everyone finishes.
Registration is now open for everyone on WingsForLifeWorldRun.com. All of the €20 entry fee will go directly to Spinal Cord Injury research.
The Wings for Life World Run was introduced to support the not-for-profit Wings for Life foundation, which funds spinal cord research projects all over the world. Millions of people around the world are living with a spinal cord injury. Every year, at least 250,000 more sustain a traumatic spinal cord injury, following traffic accidents, tragic falls and slips. One hundred percent of the entry fees from the Wings for Life World Run as well as all sponsorship goes straight into research.
International sports personalities and celebrities worldwide have rallied and became ambassadors as well as active participants. From Ireland these include Irish rugby player, Simon Zebo (who will drive the catcher car), Bernard Brogan (Dublin GAA), Joe Canning (Galway GAA), Con Doherty (triathlete), Annalise Murphy (Irish sailor), Alison Canavan, Ruby Walsh, Bryan Cooper, Paul Carberry (and others through the Injured Jockey Fund).