N.F. to host Red Bull race

It’s a global marathon with an extreme twist. And next year, Niagara Falls will be one of the host cities. It’s the Red Bull “Wings for Life” run. It tests a runner’s endurance like we’ve never seen before.

More than 100 thousand runners, on six continents, pushing off from starting gates in 40 different countries — all at the same time.

“Anyone interested in running but likes to have a good time. I think this is going to have a real neat twist on it.”

The twist is 30 minutes into the race you’re followed by a car chaser moving at least 15 kilometres an hour. If that car catches up to you. A computer records your time and you’re out.

The car catchers in the 40 countries simultaneously increase their speed until there is only one man and one woman left standing.

In Niagara Falls, the race will begin at 7:00am on Sunday, May 3rd near the brink of the falls.

Mayor Jim Doidati: “You can’t have a race in Niagara Falls and not have it at the falls. And everyone around the world is looking forward to one of the world’s great natural wonders to be the backdrop.”

Because this is a first time event for Niagara Falls, it’s not clear how many will participate. But last year, around the world more than 100 thousand people ran the race.

They know the route will start at Table Rock and be mapped out to at least 100 kilometres.

“And they’re still determining the rest of the route but it will be into the city.”

Last year, the winner from Ethiopia ran more than 78 kilometres before being knocked out by the car catcher.

They raised more than four million dollars. The money goes to “Wings for Life”, a global spinal cord research foundation.