2013 Beijing winners Thomas Dold and Suzy Walsham
Beijing, China, 4 August 2014
On Sunday, 7 September 2014, runners from across the globe will participate in the China World Summit Wing Vertical Run 2014. Running enthusiasts are signing up for this exhilarating race, but vertical running powerhouses make up the elite category for this year’s event. Following the success of last year’s China World Summit Wing Vertical Run with 600 participants, this year’s race with a quota of 1,000 has less than a hundred available spots left as the momentum of vertical running is grabbing the attention of locals and international athletes.
“Last year, there were 600 eager participants who conquered the China World Summit Wing Vertical Run,” said Thomas Schmitt-Glaeser, general manager of China World Summit Wing, Beijing. “The popularity of the race sparked national attention as the fastest time up the 82 floors was below 10 minutes.”
Beijing’s tallest vertical run has been selected as an official race for the 2014 Vertical World Circuit (VWC), the world’s first and only skyscraper racing circuit uniting some of the world’s most iconic skyscraper races, including the Empire State Building Run-Up in New York City. Runners participating in the VWC will be assigned points based on their result and the male and female competitors with the total highest scores at the end of the year will be declared world champion. Dold and Walsham to defend titles
Thomas Dold of Germany won last year’s male elite division by setting the overall fastest time in 9 minutes and 55 seconds. Dold is no stranger to the sport, as his long list of running titles and achievements includes seven championship titles at the Empire State Building Run-Up. In last year’s women’s division, Australia’s Suzy Walsham won the race, finishing in 11 minutes 56 seconds. Walsham, currently leading the Vertical World Circuit ranking, is a five-time winner of New York City’s prestigious Empire State Building Run-Up. The former Australia national running champion is no stranger to running in Asia and looks ready for a good time in what will be her third VWC race this year.
“We are pleased to be bringing the Vertical World Circuit back to Beijing and look forward to continuing to be a part of the circuit next year and into the future,” said David Shin, race director and International Skyrunning Federation representative.
“This year, locals and internationals alike want to take on the 2,041-step challenge and cross one of the world’s tallest finish lines. We are excited to see if new records can be made.” All charitable proceeds raised from the China World Summit Wing Hotel Vertical Run will benefit ifeng.com’s Forever Happiness, a program that empowers the disadvantaged children in Mainland China through participation in social and recreational activities, as well as providing insurance and shelter. 100% of proceeds from race entry fees will be donated to these projects.
Official Event Website: www.chinaverticalrun.com
2014 Vertical World Circuit ranking
2013 race details