Sunrise, Fla. — The state of running is on display every weekend throughout the globe. From the very tip-top of world-class competition, to the most fun-loving, no-pressure escapades on foot, the panoply of running’s diversity gives vivid testimony to the sport’s age-old ability to confer happiness, health, and a much needed sense of camaraderie to all who join her ranks.

Last weekend the 118^th Boston Marathon gave us an unforgettable memory with the victory of Meb Keflezighi, the first American male champion at the grand old race in 31 years. But this weekend the carnival moves ahead.

In Bloomington, Indiana the fledgling American Track League debuts while out in Palo Alto, California the Payton Jordan Invitational goes off at Stanford, with distance events taking center stage. In Pittsburgh the revitalized DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon Boasts Deep Elite Field and Record Prize Purse . But I will be in Sunrise, Florida to broadcast another of the unique new events which have come to define what some are calling the third running boom.

On May 4^th, nearly 50,000 runners worldwide will simultaneously take off on a journey that none will know the final distance for or finish line of.

What?

Called The Wings For Life World Run the event has no set distance or finish line. Instead, participants in 34 locations world-wide will begin their challenge at the same time knowing that a half-hour later a “catcher car” will begin chasing them down at a set speed. When the “catcher car” overtakes a runner, his/her day is through. Thus, the last man and woman to be caught at each location will be crowned local champions, while the final male and female running anywhere in the world will be the global champs. Continue reading →