On Sunday, for the 12th time, people around the globe united to run for those who can’t, as nearly 310,719 runners, wheelchair users, and professional athletes participated in the Wings for Life World Run. This year’s event, featuring participants from 191 nationalities across 170 countries, broke records with a new high in participation. Runners started simultaneously, whether walking, running, or rolling, striving to stay ahead of the moving finish line known as the Catcher Car.
Jo Fukuda of Japan set a new event distance record, covering an incredible 71.67 kilometers to win the men’s title. Germany’s Esther Pfeiffer achieved 59.03 kilometers, earning victory in the women’s category and becoming her country’s first female global champion. Regardless of whether participants were international stars or everyday heroes, their collective efforts raised essential funds for spinal cord research, bringing the world closer to finding a cure.
This year’s runners and wheelchair users averaged 12.4 kilometers each, covering an impressive collective distance equivalent to circling the equator nearly 64 times. Yet, the true celebration revolved around the joy and camaraderie of uniting for a good cause.
A record-breaking €8.6 million was raised during the 2025 edition of the Wings for Life World Run, with 100 percent of proceeds directly supporting spinal cord research projects and clinical trials funded by the non-profit Wings for Life Spinal Cord Research Foundation.
"I am over the moon about the results," said Wings for Life CEO Anita Gerhardter. "One shared mission and so much love and energy from every corner of the world. With 310,917 participants, we raised 8.6 million euros for spinal cord research. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who made this day so special. Together, we'll find a cure. See you at the start line next year on May 10, 2026!"
Participants could join individually via the Wings for Life World Run app or gather at one of 452 App Run events, a new record, held in stunning locations worldwide. These ranged from Tromsø in the Arctic Circle to Miami’s vibrant bayfront, Panama City, Cape Town, Madrid, London, Dubai, Tokyo, Sydney, and Rio de Janeiro. Seven large-scale Flagship Runs, featuring professional athletes and entertainers, took place in cities like Vienna, Munich, Zug, Ljubljana, Zadar, Poznań, and Breda.
Special guest drivers piloted Catcher Cars at Flagship Runs. Two-time Olympic snowboard champion Anna Gasser took the wheel in Vienna, while ski jumping legend Adam Małysz drove in Poznań. Others participated virtually through the app's unique Audio Experience, where celebrity drivers like alpine skiing star Luc Alphand, badminton icon Tzu Ying Tai, and Kaiser Chiefs frontman Ricky Wilson offered motivation in their native languages.
Prominent figures also joined as runners. Notable participants included Jürgen Klopp, Eileen Gu, Carissa Moore, Karsten Warholm, Fabio Wibmer, Lucy Charles-Barclay, Dominic Thiem, Leticia Bufoni, Ryan Sheckler, and Sébastien Loeb, among others. This blend of celebrity contributions highlighted the event's universal appeal and mission.
The sporting side of the event saw history being made. Fukuda earned his third men’s global title with a staggering 71.67 kilometers, exceeding the previous distance record by 1.58 kilometers. “I’m really happy I won because I was absolutely determined to win again this year!” Fukuda exclaimed.
Pfeiffer’s victory in the women’s competition also marked a breakthrough for Germany. She became only the second woman to surpass the 59-kilometer milestone, solidifying her place in history. “The first kilometers were really easy, but after 30 kilometers, it became tough because I don’t run longer than 25 kilometers in training,” Pfeiffer explained. “But the crowd kept cheering at every kilometer, and that pushed me to 59 kilometers!”
The race began worldwide at 11:00 a.m. UTC. Events took place under diverse conditions, including 41°C heat in Dubai, chilly 6°C temperatures in Stockholm, 76 km/h winds in Almeria, and heavy rain at Austria’s Red Bull Ring.
Since its debut in 2014, the Wings for Life World Run has supported spinal cord research by raising €60.53 million through over 1.87 million participants. To date, funding has supported 324 promising projects and clinical trials, all rigorously selected to advance the search for a cure.
The 13th edition of the Wings for Life World Run is scheduled for May 10, 2026. Registration, which opens on November 5, 2025, will include opportunities to participate in App Run events, Flagship Runs, or individually through the app.