With the 13th edition of the Wings for Life World Run just one month away on 10 May, professional cycling’s elite Red Bull–BORA–hansgrohe team will show their support for the cause, wearing special red helmets bearing the Wings for Life World Run logo at Paris-Roubaix on 12 April – and again at the Giro d’Italia.
Salzburg, Austria – April 10, 2026 – With one month to go until the world runs together at the Wings for Life World Run on 10 May 2026, the iconic event’s message will be carried loud and clear at one of professional road cycling’s most prestigious races. When Red Bull–BORA–hansgrohe line up on the start line of Paris-Roubaix – the legendary ‘Queen of the Classics’ – their riders will be wearing specially designed red helmets emblazoned with the Wings for Life World Run logo, in support of spinal cord injury research. The team is also set to sport the distinctive helmets at the start of the Giro d’Italia, bringing the message to one of the grandest stages in world cycling.
“We’re wearing this helmet at Paris-Roubaix and at the Giro to raise awareness for a special cause – it’s really important to help fund research for spinal cord injuries.” – Jarrad Drizners, Red Bull–BORA–hansgrohe
Having taken part with their own running team in 2025 and set to race again in 2026, for Red Bull–BORA–hansgrohe, this year the team’s red helmets are a call to action: an invitation to join the hundreds of thousands of runners, walkers and teams who will set off together at 11:00 UTC on 10 May 2026.
Every year, more than 250,000 people suffer a spinal cord injury, yet one that scientists believe may one day not be permanent: damaged nerve cells, research increasingly suggests, may be able to regenerate. That’s why 100% of registration fees raised from entry to the Wings for Life World Run will go directly towards funding the pioneering research that could one day help find a cure for this life-changing condition.
“We’re able to move, but some people can’t. Run for those who can’t.” – Laurence Pithie, Red Bull–BORA–hansgrohe
The Wings for Life World Run’s unique format sets it apart from any other race. Every participant on earth sets off at exactly the same moment, with no finish line – just a real or virtual Catcher Car that sets off 30 minutes later and gradually hunts each runner down. Colleagues, running clubs, sports teams, groups of friends – anyone, anywhere can take part solo or create a team, whether at a Flagship Run, a community App Run Event, or using the app wherever they are – even across borders, with teammates in completely different parts of the world. This year also includes the world of Formula 1: Oracle Red Bull Racing are opening their campus doors for the first time, while Visa Cash App Racing Bulls (VCARB) are welcoming fans and the public to their factory in Faenza, Italy.
“For the first time ever, we’re opening the doors to the Oracle Red Bull Racing Campus to host the Wings for Life World Run on 10 May 2026. Run, walk or roll in the world’s biggest race until the Catcher Car catches you. 100% of your entry fee funds spinal cord injury research. Let’s race!” – Max Verstappen, Oracle Red Bull Racing
With race day now only a month away, demand for the 2026 edition is already breaking records. The number of App Run Events open for registration has surpassed last year’s total of 452, reaching 550 events and counting across 73 countries, with new events being added daily on every continent.
“There’s more than 450 World Run app events across the globe and it’s an honour to be part of that long list. We look forward to welcoming all of you, our fans, our colleagues, the people of Faenza, Emilia-Romagna to an exciting day with lots of fun and plenty of purpose.” – Peter Bayer, CEO, Visa Cash App Racing Bulls (VCARB)
Sign-ups for 2026 App Run Events have doubled compared to the same period in 2025, and several events, including Warsaw, Santa Monica, Bratislava, Bragança Paulista and Kalety, have already sold out. Tokyo is now at 94% capacity, with Taipei (87%), Hamburg (81%) and São Paulo also filling fast. The top five countries by App Run Events are currently Austria (164), Germany (72), the United States (40), Poland (37) and India (21) – together accounting for more than half of all last year’s total events worldwide.
This year’s momentum builds on a record-breaking 2025 edition where 310,719 participants from 191 nationalities took part worldwide — more than one in three of them at a community App Run Event. Global men’s winner Jo Fukuda set a stunning new event record of 71.67 km in his home city of Fukuoka, running so far into the night that the virtual Catcher Car didn’t catch him until the following day. Germany’s Esther Pfeiffer became her country’s first female global winner, reaching 59.03 km in Munich. Across it all, 100% of every entry fee went directly to spinal cord research.
Among the recognisable faces taking part on 10 May are tennis star Dominik Thiem in Vienna, Olympic swimming champion Summer McIntosh in the USA, and newly appointed Wings for Life World Run Ambassador Marie-José Pérec in France.
“I’m involved with para-athletes in France – I know most of them and their stories. When you know how difficult everyday life is for them, you feel that you need to do something. What I love about this event is there’s no competition, no rival, no line to cross – no one is first. And all the money goes directly to research, which is very rare. We are all concerned by this. So come and have fun with us.” — Marie-José Pérec, Wings for Life World Run ambassador
“The Wings for Life World Run is an unbelievable event where the bigger picture is way more important than the run itself – every Euro goes 100% to finding a cure for spinal cord injury. I’m personally motivated because I know people suffering from spinal cord injuries, and I’m always up for raising awareness for an important cause. On 10 May I’ll be at the Flagship Run in Vienna, aiming for a half marathon distance. To anyone hesitating – please join. The energy at both App Run Events and Flagship Runs is unbelievable, and everything is for a good cause. Join my team by searching my name, and let’s have a great Wings for Life World Run 2026.” — Dominic Thiem
Register to take part in the 13th edition of the Wings for Life World Run on 10 May 2026 via www.wingsforlifeworldrun.com
About the Wings for Life Spinal Cord Research Foundation
Worldwide, millions of people are dependent on a wheelchair after having sustained a spinal cord injury, most often as the result of a traffic accident or a fall. Wings for Life is a not-for-profit spinal cord research foundation with the single mission to find a cure for spinal cord injury. Since 2004, Wings for Life has funded life-changing research projects and clinical trials around the globe. While a cure is still to be found, steady progress has been made. Every step taken at the Wings for Life World Run is a step in the right direction because 100% of entry fees and donations goes to spinal cord injury research: www.wingsforlife.com
About the Wings for Life World Run
The 13th edition of the Wings for Life World Run takes place on 10 May 2026 at 11:00 UTC. Runners can join one of eight Flagship Runs, sign up for an App Run Event, or run, walk or roll in a wheelchair anywhere in the world using the Wings for Life World Run App. Each participant pays a registration fee to take part in the global effort to find a cure for spinal cord injury. 100% of all Wings for Life World Run registration fees are channelled directly to spinal cord injury research projects and clinical trials supported by the not-for-profit Wings for Life Spinal Cord Research Foundation. To date, a total of 1,870,253 registered participants from 191 nationalities have run, walked and rolled on all seven continents and together raised a total of €60.53 million. www.wingsforlifeworldrun.com
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