THE EVENT TAKES PLACE ON MAY 8TH
Wings For Life World Run: The largest running event in history is right around the corner
May 4, 2022, 1:17 pm
The excitement is really building up! Photo by: Philipp Carl Riedl for Wings for Life World Run
Houstonians and beyond are invited to be a part of the Wings for Life World Run on May 8 to raise funds for spinal cord injury research.
In exactly 4 days, runners, walkers, and wheelchair rollers have the chance to participate in what has become the single largest running event in history. With 184,236 registered participants across 195 different nations in 2021, the Wings for Life World Run has become a true global phenomenon. On May 8, 2022 at 6am CST, the start signal will sound for the 9th annual edition as participants around the globe will be united during the run via the Wings for Life World Run App and the unique Audio Experience that will inform, entertain, and motivate the participants.
If running in a group is what motivates you, have no fear! Those located in the Houston metroplex are invited to join their choice of organized Wings For Life event runs. One taking place at the University of Houston outdoor track, which will feature a DJ, breakfast snacks, plenty of Red Bull and water, and perhaps even a visit from a Red Bull athlete. This event is welcome to runners, walkers, and wheelchair users. Those looking to explore the Houston landscape and challenge their personal record, there will also be an organized run at Eleanor Tinsley Park (within Buffalo Bayou Park) accessible from Allen Parkway, where participants can load up on pre-run snacks, fruit, Red Bull and water.
Both events will begin at the same time as all others around the globe - in Texas at 6am CST/7am EST/4am PST/1pm CET, etc. There is no set finish line. Instead, 30 minutes after the start signal, the virtual Catcher Car will start moving within the App and gradually accelerate to overtake the participants one by one. As soon as the virtual Catcher Car has passed the runner, their race is over, and they are knocked out of contention.
A total of nearly $5 million dollars was raised for spinal cord research in 2021 through entry fees and donations, while a total of 1,029,513 miles were completed - the equivalent of running more than 41 times around the globe.
“The excitement is really building up. Last year was overwhelming considering the circumstances, and this year we want to grow even bigger because we have created a really bold vision that by 2025 we aim to have 1 million runners in the Wings For Life World Run,” said Anita Gerhardter, global CEO of the non-profit foundation Wings For Life. “Everyone can participate, this is the beauty of this run because the finish line comes from behind. So if you stroll or take a power walk you might just be covering a few miles, but if you’re sportier you might complete 10, 20 or even 30 miles. But it doesn’t matter, it’s just you against your own personal goal.”
Anyone who feels like participating can now download the Wings For Life World Run App, register, and train with the virtual Catcher Car during a Preparation Run. All information about Wings For Life World Run and how to participate can be found at www.wingsforlifeworldrun.com.
- About Wings for Life Foundation and the MissionMillions of people are currently dependent on a wheelchair after having sustained a spinal cord injury. Every year, at least 250,000 people sustain a spinal cord injury, followed by paralysis. That’s one person every two minutes. Scientists agree: injured neurons are able to regenerate, and spinal cord injury will be curable one day. Wings for Life USA – Spinal Cord Research Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit foundation with a mission to find the cure for spinal cord injury. In order to realize its vision, Wings for Life supports world class scientific research and clinical trials aimed at healing the spinal cord. Since 2004, Wings for Life has funded 239 life-changing research projects and clinical trials around the globe, including 23 current projects plus 10 newly approved researched projects in the U.S.A. While the cure is still to be found, steady progress has been made. Wings for Life guarantees that 100% of all donations are spent on spinal cord research, ensuring all monies raised will help work towards Wings for Life’s ultimate goal. To learn more or donate please go to www.wingsforlife.com.
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How latest Astros events highlight serious concerns around core philosophies
May 22, 2025, 12:59 pm
Two seasons ago the Astros were oddly feeble at home and warriors on the road. Now, this season is headed nowhere if they can't pick it up away from Daikin Park. In the first week of April, the Astros won their initial road series of the season. It will be June before they win another. Well, presumably June. Approaching seven weeks since they took a series at Minnesota, it's now seven consecutive road stops without a series victory. In six straight three-game road series the Astros have lost two out of three, including at the laughingstock White Sox. They did split the four-game set in Arlington against the Rangers last weekend. The Astros’ road record is 10-15.
Now they're home for 10 in a row, starting with four versus the team the Astros look up at in the American League West standings. The Seattle Mariners hit town three and a half games ahead of the Astros. Last June, the Astros trailed the Mariners by 10 games and wound up winning the division. Expecting a sequel as good as an original usually is not a good idea. Winning this series is certainly not a necessity given the season still only reaches its one-third completed mark this coming Tuesday. Still, at least getting a split is advised, or the Astros are looking at falling five and half games off the lead should the Mariners win three out of four, seven and a half back should Seattle sweep. But flip the script. If the Astros sweep, they go to bed Sunday night leading the division. Taking three out four would be just fine, and have the Astros within a game and a half of first.
The Astros are carrying a payroll roughly 75 million dollars larger than that of the Mariners. The M’s have a farm system (currently one of the highest rated among the franchises) vastly superior to what the Astros have (one of the worst systems in the sport). So if Mariners’ ownership opted to loosen the purse strings in pursuit of in season talent infusions, the M’s are way better positioned to make an impact move than are the Astros. Just remember, even if the Mariners are going to pull away, the wild card picture does not have three teams that are obviously ultimately better than the Astros.
Positive vibes only
If you're into good luck charms, dig up a four-leaf clover or find a rabbit's foot, then cross your fingers where Ronel Blanco is concerned. It is quite an ominous sign that the Astros sent Blanco back to Houston a day early after he reported soreness in his pitching elbow. I mean, who would be surprised to hear that Blanco is done for the season a la Hayden Wesneski. It's increasingly essential that Hunter Brown and Framber Valdez hold up physically and qualitatively the rest of the way. That Brown had his worst start of the season Wednesday in Tampa is no big deal. It's called being human. The Rays torching him for three home runs and five runs in five innings spiked Brown's earned run average all the way up to 2.04. Ooooh. Brown has been fantastic.
The Astros underestimated how long Spencer Arrighetti would be out. Shocking! Some boost from him seems necessary. There is only so much the Astros can reasonably hope for out of Lance McCullers, and the likes of Colton Gordon and Brandon Walter. That either Cristian Javier or Luis Garcia makes it back by, say, August is a best-case scenario. Then it would be hope about level of performance. The Astros hold no monopoly on serial pitching injuries. The Mariners have lost three-fifths of their stout starting rotation. George Kirby making his first 2025 start Thursday is a boost for them. Logan Gilbert and Bryce Miller are both still out.
Heart of the matter
Among the core frustrations for Astros’ fans are the continued crummy overall performances of Jose Altuve, Christian Walker, and Yainer Diaz. If it turns out that the 35-year-old Altuve has truly fallen over the hill as opposed to just enduring an extended deep slump that would be an obvious bummer. The same with the 34-year-old Walker though there is no emotional tug for Astros’ fans with Walker as there is with Altuve. Yainer Diaz is just 26. His regression is troubling, perhaps low-lighted by his one walk in his last 33 games played, four walks for the season in 170 plate appearances. That’s pathetic. Yainer, Victor Caratini, and Astros’ pitchers have collectively done a brutal job at dealing with opposition running games. The Astros have given up 62 stolen bases in 67 attempts, with one of the five caught stealings a pickoff, another a botched double steal.
For Astro-centric conversation, join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and me for the Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday. Click here to catch!
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