Wings For Life World Run: huge running event coming to Platt Fields Park in Manchester - how to enter

An event which sees people around the world get their running shoes on to raise money for charity is coming to Manchester. The Wings For Life World Run has spent a decade getting people running, walking and pushing to support spinal cord research and raise awareness of it.

Now the run is bringing one of its official UK events to Manchester and is urging participants to gather in Platt Fields Park to do their part for a good cause. The inclusive running event takes place over the coronation weekend and sees runners push themselves to go as far as they can before they are caught in a unique format. Here’s how the Wings For Life World Run works and how you can be on the start line in Manchester.

When is the Wings For Life World Run in Manchester and what is the event?

The Wings For Life World Run is coming to Manchester on Sunday 7 May (the bank holiday weekend for the coronation of King Charles III), with the event bringing one of its official UK running events to Platt Fields Park.

A 1km course will be set up around the park which will be a circuit, and people will be able to complete as many laps of it as they can. Previous events have attracted everyone from running beginners to established athletes and wheelchair participants.

The event begins at 12pm but unlike other running events there is no set distance or finish line. Instead, after half an hour of running, a virtual finish line known as a Catcher Car which is voiced by a celebrity begins moving along the course, picking off the runners one by one. Once the Catcher Car reaches you, your race is over.

This year Wings For Life World Run is celebrating its 10th anniversary of getting people to raise money for spinal cord research by pushing themselves with an athletic challenge. In 2022 just over 160,000 people around the globe were involved.

How do I enter the Wings For Life World Run?

To join the Wings For Life World Run, you just have to download the latest Wings For Life World Run app from either the Google or Apple stores. You can then register for the 2023 event and either pick one of the organised runs, including the Manchester one, or sign up to take part individually wherever in Greater Manchester you are.

To find out more about the Manchester event, including where the refreshment station is and how to get into the park on the day, visit the Manchester event page on the Wings For Life World Run website.