Chicago runners raise money for spinal cord research in Wings for Life World Run 2026

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Hundreds of athletes participated in the Wings for Life World Run on Sunday.

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The race kicked off in Lincoln Park and followed the lakefront.

All proceeds go towards spinal cord research.

Instead of a finish line, the race uses an app, and runners are pursued by a Virtual Catcher Car instead of racing towards a finish line.

The Virtual Catcher Car takes off 30 minutes after the start and steadily increases its speed until the last athletes have been caught.

The course takes participants south along the lakefront for a 5-mile loop.

"We are going to improve functional restoration if we work together," Dr. Monica Perez with Northwestern University said. "The Wings for Life and World Run reflect that message. We are going to walk together and run together, just one example of what we should do in order to get further in the future for functional restoration for spinal cord injury."

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