On 4 May 2025, at 12:00 GMT a squad of 85 ETL GLOBAL colleagues & friends from 12 countries took the challenge and simultaneously participated in the Wings for Life World Run 2025, an annual charity race to fund research into spinal cord injuries under the motto “Run for those who can’t”.
At the occasion of ETL GLOBAL’s 10th anniversary, this very special race was a first attempt to motivate the network’s sportsmen and women to compete together in a truly global event. And it seemed to be a lot of fun – some took it on their own in their neighbourhoods (with the Wings for Life tune live on their headphones), others had a joint run or walk in their favourite recreational area. The fanciest place to participate was probably chosen by ETL GLOBAL’s Central Communications Manager Verónica Jiménez Rodríguez who participated in the live event in Tokyo, Japan!
The Wings for Life World Run is a unique race where participants worldwide start their run at the very same time, competing not against each other, but against a “Catcher Car” – a moving finish line that starts 30 minutes after the race begins – physically in certain locations and virtually for those who participate via app. Accordingly, it is not about reaching a physical finish line first, but about being the last one to be caught by the car. This year it was 310.719 participants worldwide, running 2,639,348 km in total and raising over 8.6 m EUR for spinal cord research.
And here come the ETL GLOBAL results:
- PARTICIPANTS:
- ETL GLOBAL women are somewhat easier to motivate: Out of 85 participants 52% were female!
- Age-wise, male participants seemed to be more motivated, with the oldest runner coming from M60 (F55 on the female side). The youngest runners came from age group M18 and F18.
- Looking at nationalities, the biggest teams came from Poland (even 29% of all female participants), Italy and the UK (each 27% of male participants).
- COVERED DISTANCE:
- All participants running and walking under the ETL GLOBAL flag recorded 802 km altogether (455 km male, 377 km female contribution). Thus, the collective goal to run from Santa Cruz de Tenerife to Tallin was somewhat too ambitious, but at least the team succeeded to reach the closest member country Morocco on mainland. The journey will continue in 2026. 😊
- The longest distance was covered by the team from the UK (182 km), followed by Poland (168 km), and Germany (139 km).
- The fastest women within ETL GLOBAL proved to be Spela Moroz (Slovenia, 18.2 km), Adriana Grzybowska (Poland, 17.6 km) and Anna Malkowska (Poland, 16.7 km).
- The fastest men were Gasper Bertoncelj (Slovenia, 31.6 km), Jack Shute (UK, 26.6 km) and Max Lukaweckyj (UK, 21.1 km).
- Accordingly, the most dynamic country within ETL GLOBAL has been proven to be Slovenia!
- FUND RAISING:
- The charity donation going to spinal cord research collected from ETL GLOBAL colleagues & friends was 2,988.80 EUR, almost triple the amount targeted by team head Riccardo Benussi
Have a Look at ETL GLOBAL Colleagues Taking Part in WINGS FOR LIFE 2025
A big, warm THANK YOU and WELL DONE to all participating and donating colleagues & friends of ETL GLOBAL!!!
A special thanks is sent out to those ETL GLOBAL member firms who added some extra flavour by supporting their participating colleagues, employees & friends – be it by fund raising, outfits, nutrition, cheers or other ways of comfort. This was just great!!!
ETL GLOBAL is looking forward to future events and will support its teams in reaching Tallinn at some point! At ETL GLOBAL we keep the ball rolling!
