Honda are proud to announce their partnership with the Wings for Life Foundation as official vehicle sponsor of the Wings for Life World Run, which takes place in Ireland around the Ring of Kerry on May 4th.

As vehicle sponsor for the Irish race, Honda will provide the official race and support cars for the event, including the moving finish line, a Honda CR-V Catcher Car, and also a prize car, a Honda Jazz, which can be won by any participant in the race.

The Wings for Life World Run is a global race to raise awareness and funds for Spinal Cord Injury Research. In a truly unique experience, over 200,000 people in 35 countries across 6 continents will be running against each other at the very same time! The world will be running together.

In Ireland, the race will take place against the stunning backdrop of the Ring of Kerry. Thousands of people will run in a race for everyone, from part-time joggers to top professional runners. The race is like no other in that there is no finish line. Runners will be pursued by the Honda CR-V ‘Catcher Car’. Thirty minutes following the start of the race, the CR-V catcher car will advance along the race course at a set pace. A participants’ race ends once the catcher car has overtaken them. Over 50 million will be watching globally, until one person emerges victorious and is crowned the inaugural Wings For Life World Run Champion.

The race has a number of dedicated and committed global ambassadors - Sebastian Vettel, Lindsey Vonn, David Coulthard, Colin Jackson and also a number of local ambassadors blind and paralysed athlete Mark Pollock, motorsport legend Eddie Jordan, GAA stars Bernard Brogan, Joe Canning and Seamus Moynihan, rugby’s Simon Zebo and Siobhan Fleming and TV presenter Sile Seoige. Ultra Marathon Runner and holder of the World Record for 7 marathons, on 7 continents in 5 days, Richard Donovan, is not only a local ambassador but also the race co-ordinator. Honda Ambassadors including model and TV presenter Alison Canavan and Munster Rubgy’s JJ Hanrahan will also participate in the race.

The Wings for Life Foundation was set up to find a cure for Spinal Cord injury. More than 3 million people worldwide are affected by Spinal Cord injury and internationally it is recognised as one of the most devastating and debilitating injuries a person can sustain in their life time.  It affects every aspect of their lives.

The good news is, it is no longer a question of if spinal cord injury can be cured it is more a question of when. The Wings for Life Foundation is trying to expedite finding this cure by financing and bringing together promising research projects from around the world. Since launched, The Wings for Life Foundation has funded 82 research projects across 10 countries internationally.

Race Coordinator Richard Donovan commented, "Our goal with the Wings for Life World Run in Kerry is to raise € ½ million for spinal cord injury research, and thanks to the support of key sponsors such as Honda we are able to ensure that 100% of all race entry fees go directly to the foundation. As vehicle sponsor, Honda are providing us with support vehicles in the lead up to the race which will help us to promote and fundraise for the foundation as we work towards the race day. "

Adrian Cole, Managing Director of Universal Honda Ltd. commented: "It is a great pleasure for us to be associated with the Wings for Life Foundation and the World Run. Wings for Life are funding important research projects into spinal cord injuries and we are proud to support them here in Ireland. The World Run is a great event, for a great cause and we are very pleased to have our Honda CR-V so centrally involved as the moving ‘Catcher Car’ finish line for the event , and to provide the Honda Jazz prize car for the Irish race."

The Wings for Life World Run takes place on May 4th at 11am, starting from Killarney anti-clockwise around the Ring of Kerry. Runners of all abilities can sign up at now at www.wingsforlifeworldrun.com and everyone who signs to the Wings for Life World Run in Ireland will also go into