Wings For Life World Run 2023: Team #JMextraMile Ran For Those Who Can't

It's alwaysinspiring to hear of people pushing themselves to achieve extraordinary feats. Especiallywhen they do it to benefit others. We were thrilled with the success of the and the incredible showing of the great #JMextraMile Team.

On7/5/2023, 12 brave runners from 鶹ֱapp set out to make a difference byrunning 157 km / 98 mi—an average of 13 km / 8 mi per runner. Not only was thisa great showing, but their efforts also helped to raise money for spinal cordinjury research. The team consisted of two runners from the United States and tenrunners from Slovakia.

JMers from two continents joined Team #JMextraMile
JMers from two continents joined Team #JMextraMile

What makes WFLspecial is that all runners have 30 minutes to get ahead of the Catcher Carbefore this moving finish line passes every last person in the race.

A specialcongratulations goes to Steve Payne, Southwest Regional Services Manager, whowas able to cover 19.72 km / 12.25 mi before he was overtaken by the CatcherCar. With this impressive performance he was the runner with the longestdistance on our team. As all participants start running at the exact sametime, it was 5 AM when Steve went to his virtual starting line in Colorado, hisheadlamp and the full moon providing minimal light.

The moon is shining brightly over Colorado when Steve Payne sets out to run for a good cause
The moon is shining brightly over Colorado when Steve Payne sets out to run for a good cause

For AnthonyHugs, Batch Mixer at our Defiance plant, it was already daylight when hestarted running at 7 AM in Ohio. However, he also had to contend with nature’sinfluences running in heavy wind and rain. Despite all odds, he fought hisway through and was able to run 18.38 km / 11.42 mi.

Bad weather can't stop Anthony Hugs from going the #JMextraMile
Bad weather can't stop Anthony Hugs from going the #JMextraMile

“Themotivational content that was broadcast through the WFL mobile app kept megoing,” Anthony reported after the race. “It praised runners when going at agood pace, and immediately urged to push harder when it noticed that one wasslowing down. The stories of people affected by spinal injuries also helpedkeep me running—nothing compared to the battle those guys are fighting.”

Running for those who can't

Our runnersin Slovakia did not join the flagship run in Vienna, Austria as usual,but took part virtually close to our 鶹ֱapp site in Trnava. PeterLazicius, Strategic Sourcing Specialist, was their quickest participant with18.29 km / 11.36 mi.

Peter Lazicius covered more than 18 km before he was passed by the Catcher Car
Peter Lazicius covered more than 18 km before he was passed by the Catcher Car

Thebeautiful weather at their location not only ensured a positive atmosphere duringthe run, but also afterwards, when the team came together for a well-deserved isotonicsports drink. Some call it beer.

Well deserved reward after a great race
Well deserved reward after a great race

Ultimately,the group finished 1,097th out of 7,604 participating teams. 206,728total runners raised €5.8 million for spinal cord injury research. Our hats off!

Bestoverall male and female runners were Jo Fukuda from Japan with 69 km / 43 miand Kasia Szkoda from Poland with 55 km / 34 mi.

Congratulationsto our teammates and thanks to everyone for going the #JMextraMile! We arealready looking forward to next year’s edition of Wings for Life.

Race certificate for team #JMextraMile

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