Photo: YouTube

Josh Dueck

Vernon's Josh Dueck will be wheeling for spinal cord research – and you can join him.

The Wings for Life World Run is a unique global race for both runners and wheelchair participants. Instead of a finish line, competitors race to keep ahead of a virtual "catcher car." Now in its sixth year, on May 3 participants in Canada can also run together in Vernon.

Participants can join Dueck at the boat launch at Kekuli Bay Provincial Park and along the Okanagan Rail Trail. Runners will go five kilometres down the trail and then loop back to the boat launch until the catcher car catches them.

The virtual catcher takes off 30 minutes after the start at 14 km/h and steadily increases its speed until the last athletes have been caught.

One hundred per cent of all donations and entry fees go directly into spinal cord research projects.

Tracked through the use of an app, any participant’s kilometres will go towards their national mission.

Dueck is of one of Vernon's best-known athletes. He is a two-time Paralympian and one of alpine skiing's most innovative athletes – he was the first person to do a back flip in a sit ski.

Dueck snagged a silver medal in his debut Games in Vancouver in 2010. He then became one of the stars for Canada's team for Sochi in 2014, winning gold in the men's sitting super combined and a silver in the downhill.

Dueck was also Canada's flag bearer for the closing ceremonies in Sochi.

More information on Wings for Life World Run can be found on its website.