World, ran for those who cannot afford it – the biggest charity event by the initiative of “Red Bull” was held on May 4.

Participants gathered at the Lopota in the early morning and were waiting for the start of the marathon with cheerful mood.

“It is very positive and a good event. Too many people are involved. I am glad that I also take participation in this good work and make my own contribution” – said Giorgi Gegelia, one of the participants.

Thousands of athletes from different 35 countries of 5 mainland merged at 14:00 Tbilisi time in order to become the spinal cord disease curable. At this time in California was 3:00, in Taiwan 6:00 and in Australia and Tokyo 4:00.

Wings for Life World Run appointed famous Georgian athletes as a Goodwill Ambassadors in Georgia. Athletes, event organizers and supporters were in good spirits and noted that the current charity event united Georgia.

Levan Kipiani (Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs): “This day is a recognition of a healthy lifestyle in Georgia and it makes me happy. I would like to thank those who planned to take part and of course a big thank to “Red Bull” for such a precious event”.

Maia Azarashvili (event sporting director): “This event was followed a great resonance in Georgia and everyone took part with joy. Everybody were running on this track with great pleasure and we have not faced any problems”.

Varlam Liparteliani (judoka, European champion): “It’s a long time that this event is planning and we, judokas, supported it. I am too glad to see so many people and I am more pleased when people share other people’s problems”.

Luka Kurtanidze (President of Georgian Wrestling Federation): “First of all I am very happy for such support. They incorporated towards such problem, which incorporates Georgia and the whole world. I, with my wrestlers, join this event. I would like to thank people for such support”.

Archil Arveladze (GFF sporting director): “The number of people is an indication of how important these people are for us, therefore I think that if the first event is of such a scale, more support will be in future”.

It should be also noted that there is no finish line in marathon. Instead of the traditional finish line there was a special “finish machine”, which started 30 minutes after the start, by the pre-set speed (15 km/h-20km/h-25km/h).

Among women “finish machine” overran 56-year-old French Marielle Carmagnolle. French sportswoman covered 25.34 kilometers. As for the men, Anatoli Olenikov of Lagodekhi ran 52.65 kilometers.

After reaching the Lopota crossing, the winners made the following comments:

Anatoli Olenikov: “I was very happy to win. First of all, I dedicate this victory to my father, who died 3 months ago. As for where I wish to go next year, I do not know yet”.

Marielle Carmagnolle: “Thanks to Georgia that it gave me the opportunity to participate in this marathon. To tell the truth, I promoted from the beginning and winning was not difficult for me”.

After the marathon the winners were awarded prizes. The main prize awaits them in 2015. Marielle Carmagnolle and Anatoli Olenikov will be able to participate in marathon 2015 anywhere in the world.

The raised money will be transferred to the international fund of Wings for Life, which provides medical and clinical researches in order to cure spinal cord injury.

Giorgi Balakhadze