The “Virtual New Years Run” running event starts across Austria on Sunday. More than 500 participants have already registered for the run in aid of “Wings for Life”.
In cooperation with ‘Wings for Life’ we move people for a good cause. We run so that others can do it again soon.
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Vienna (OTS) – An eventful turn of the year under the motto “Run for those who can’t” or “Run for a good cause and your health”: For the fourth time, SPORTUNION Austria is starting the ‘Virtual New Years Run’ at the end and beginning of the year. In the period from December 31, 2023 to January 1, 2024, the desired run or walk can be completed anywhere in the world. SPORTUNION President Peter McDonald emphasizes the far-reaching significance of this event: “In cooperation with ‘Wings for Life’ we move people for a good cause. We run so that others can do it again soon.
The background: Wings for Life is a non-profit foundation for spinal cord research. The goal: A cure for paraplegia.
What is special about the Virtual New Years Run?
The ‘Virtual New Years Run’ is location-independent and encourages people of all ages and abilities to take part. Clubs, families and groups of friends can register as a team and choose distances from 500 m to 10 km to run or walk. Due to the virtual implementation, participants can even take part in other running events at the same time as a team, club or family. Peter McDonald: “No matter whether young or old, everyone is invited to take part. We run so that others can do it again soon.”
Sporty fireworks at the turn of the year
The ‘Virtual New Years Run’ was originally initiated as an alternative to the New Year’s Eve runs that were canceled due to Corona. The charity event organized by SPORTUNION Austria has now long since developed into an integral part of the end of the year and the start of the New Year. With impressive results: Since the premiere in 2020/21, around 6,000 runners and 150 clubs have taken part in the team challenges, resulting in over 80,000 euros being donated to ‘Wings for Life’. This year, more than 500 participants have already registered to date (as of December 28, 2023). “For many people, the ‘Virtual New Years Run’ is part of the turn of the year,” says McDonald. “They want to start the year 2024 not only with sport, but also with a good deed.”
This is how participation in the ‘Virtual New Years Run’ works:
SPORTUNION Austria President Peter McDonald explains how it works:
- Register by January 1st at the latest. at 10:00 p.m. on sportunion.at/newyearsrun
- Print out your start number, which you will receive by email after registration.
- Complete your run or walk over 48 hours between December 31, 2023 and January 1, 2024, anywhere in the world.
- Track your activity and enter your running results online to take part in the competition.
Entry fee, competition & online training
The entry fee is 5 euros for adults, children take part free of charge. In addition to a donation of EUR 2.50 per participant to Wings for Life, SPORTUNION also supports voluntary support for the good cause. In addition, the first 1,000 participants will receive an invitation to exclusive online training with former world-class track and field athlete Beate Taylor, including sports tips and tricks. Another goodie: A competition offers the chance to win 1 x 2 tickets in the exclusive Red Bull Guest Area at the Kulm Ski Flying World Cup. The conditions of participation and details are available at sportunion.at/newyearsrun.
Questions & Contact:
Sports Union Austria
Wolfgang Wonesch
Referent Public Relations
+43 1 / 513 77 14 DW 03
wolfgang.wonish@sportunion.at