TeamMONASH covers almost 3000km as the largest 2019 Wings for Life World Run university team in the world

TeamMONASH raised approximately $16,000 for spinal cord research. Photo: Michael Leong.

191 Monash students, staff, alumni and friends ran a total combined distance of 2,798 km along the Monash Freeway in Melbourne at last night’s 2019 Wings for Life World Run.

The event was held in 72 countries this year, with participants covering over a million kilometres and raising money for spinal cord research. TeamMONASH was the largest University team globally, the largest Australian team, and covered the 15^th longest distance of any team around the world.

Rather than having a set distance, participants run, walk or roll until a ‘chaser car’ overtakes them on the course. Student Emilie Guy ran the longest distance for TeamMONASH, covering a whopping 39.1km.

The event took place at the exact same time around the world, with the Melbourne contingent kicking off at 9pm AEST. Photo: Michael Leong.

Former Dean of the David Syme Business School at Monash University Dr John Miller AO experienced his first Wings for Life World Run, and said “the beauty” of the event is that there is no finish line, so people of all abilities can participate.

“I’m a cross country marathon skier, so I’ve done more marathons on snow and skis than on foot,” he said.

“With cross country ski marathons, you’re racing only against yourself and the goal is to finish. It doesn’t matter about winning because winning is finishing, so that will be my goal tonight.”

Dr Miller enjoyed his first WFL World Run last night, with 

students from his former faculty at Monash University. 

Photo: Michael Leong. 

Dr Miller said the event highlights Monash as a “great international university”.

“Wings for Life is all about spinal cord rehabilitation, and Monash is uniquely positioned because we’ve got two research units in spinal cords. So it’s the perfect fit in desirable objectives,” he said.

Monash students Riley Powers and André Pontifex said they were both motivated to sign up for the event to help spinal cord research.

“The fact that everything you pay goes back to charity is super cool. Also coming back to support Monash is always fun, and trying to get the biggest Uni team in the world,” Riley said.

Monash University students Andre and Riley soaked up the 

atmosphere at the TeamMONASH marquee before the event 

began last night. Photo: Nell O'Shea Carre.

“It’s fun to push yourself, and be so surprised by how far you can actually run!”

André said having others around makes the running easier.

“It’s the cause that pushes most people, to know that you’re helping out someone who can’t run. It’s really awesome to be running at the same time as someone in Brazil or Japan, it’s a cool concept,” he said.

Competitors in Italy were faced with freezing snowfall at their local event, and in Mumbai, India, temperatures reached nearly 35 degrees.

The global female winner from Russia Nina Zarina ran 53.7 km in Switzerland, and the global male winner Ivan Motori, also from Russia, ran 64.37 km in Turkey.

Written by Nell O'Shea Carre, Media Coordinator.