Vertical Rush winners Lobodzinski & Svabikova. © iancorless.com
Launching the 2016 Vertical World Circuit, top skyscraper racers Lobodzinski and Svabikova are victorious in Shelter’s Vertical Rush held on Tower 42 in London’s financial district, Tuesday, March 8. Elite international skyscraper racers, together with 1,005 runners, summited the Tower.
The event marked the launch of the 2016 Vertical World Circuit and the eighth edition of Vertical Rush, the UK’s tallest, toughest tower-running challenge to raise funds for Shelter, the housing and homeless charity.
Hitting the heights yet again were 2015 winners Piotr Lobodzinski from Poland and Lenka Svabikova from the Czech Republic, competing for points in the 2016 Vertical World Circuit which unites nine iconic tower racing events across the globe.
Cristina Bonacina, 3rd at Vertical Rush. © iancorless.com
The assault on the City’s third tallest building, took the winners just 4’29” and 5’36” respectively to ascend the 932 steps and 42 floors. Svabikova placed an incredible 12th overall.
Despite victory, Lobodzinski wasn’t overjoyed with his win. “I ran 70 seconds slower than last year which is very disappointing. The staircase is not ideal for me, the steps are a little too low and the staircase too wide. I like to move from the left to the right handrail but here it’s not possible. I won, so I am happy but the time could have been better.”
Svabikova however, was elated. “I am very happy! I ran three seconds quicker than last year… I can go quicker so I will be back next year. This staircase is ideal for me. I run two steps at a time and the spacing and left hand rail are ideal for me.”
Ignacio Cardona, 2nd, Vertical Rush. © iancorless.com
Lobodzinski, 2015 VWC Champion and Svabikova, now head the 2016 ranking based on the best results of five out of nine races.
Second in the men’s race was Spaniard Ignacio Cardona, 4’39”, followed by Briton Daniel Bruynooghe, 4’41”. Podium places in the women’s field, after Svabikova, went to Briton Ashley Scott-Wilson, 5’58” who placed 2nd and Italian Cristina Bonacina, 6’35”, third.
Piotr Lobodzinski VWC Champion and ranking leader. © iancorless.com
From London, the 2016 Vertical World Circuit heads to Dubai on April 8th with the Dubai Holding SkyRun, followed by Paris and on to Manila, Sydney, Beijing and Shanghai to conclude with the Grand Finale in Hong Kong on December 4 where prestigious world titles and cash prizes are awarded.
A new race completing the nine-race Vertical World Circuit, will be announced shortly.
Vertical Rush Race results
Men
1. Piotr Lobodzinski (POL): 4’29”
2. Igancio Cardona Torres (ESP): 4’39”
3. Daniel Bruynooghe: 4’41”
4. Mark Sims (GBR): 4’46”
5. Emanuele Manzi (ITA): 4h’48”
Women
1. Lenka Svabikova (CZE): 5’36”
2. Ashley Scott-Wilson: 5’58”
3. Cristina Bonacina (ITA): 6’35”
4. Becki Raper: 6’56”
5. Eimear Brien: 6’58”
Vertical Rush race information and follow #verticalrush on Twitter.
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