Red Bull Athletes TK, Red Gerard and Louie Vito at Loveland to support the Wings For Life World Run. | Photo: Red Bull
Red Bull Athletes Nik Baden, Red Gerard and Louie Vito at Loveland to support the Wings For Life World Run. | Photo: Red Bull

With fresh snow falling on Loveland Ski Basin, I headed up to enjoy some fresh turns with Louie Vito and Greg Bretz as they made their way to Aspen for the Red Bull Double Pipe.

The night before, the two Red Bull athletes were in town at CU Boulder campus to help promote the Wings For Life World Run, a worldwide running event in which participants around the globe will run for those who can’t with 100% of the money raised from entry fees going toward spinal cord research.

After some serious face shots and tree runs in almost white out, blizzard conditions, we headed into the lodge to find out from the boys a little bit more about this unique event that has never before been attempted.

“Wings For Life is a charity that Red Bull supports,” says Vito in his black Nike sweatshirt, wondering why he didn’t bring any jackets to Colorado. “With 100% of the proceeds going to spinal cord research.”

The event will be run in 35 different places around the world including 3 spots in the U.S.: Florida, Colorado and California. “California will be run at 3am, Denver at 4am and so on, ” continues Vito. “It’s really cool that everyone around the world will be running at the exact same time.” Just one of the things that makes this event so unique.

The other, there’s no finish line. “Thirty minutes into the race a pace car will start and when it catches up to you, you’re done,” says Vito. “You can run, skip, walk, cartwheel, whatever. It doesn’t matter how you get through the race.” The important thing here is that you’re running for those who can’t and donating to a cause worth fighting for.

Both Bretz and Vito will most likely be running in LA as that’s where they call home. But you can run in 35 different location around the world from LA to Auckland, New Zealand.

When asked if there’s a side bet between the two: “Vito will most likely beat me as the race is at 3am in the morning,” says Bretz. “I’ll double what you do,” responds Vito.

If you’re looking to get involved with this one of a kind event, head over to the Wings For Life World Run website to get more info on locations, times and signing up.

I can guarantee the editors and myself here at Snowboard Magazine will be up at 4am in Denver on May 4th, 2014 ready to run for those who can’t.

Sign up now for the Wings For Life World Run.