Alice McNamara, Suzy Walsham and Yuri Yoshizumi, SHKP Vertical Run for Charity: Race to Shanghai IFC podium . ©Sporting Republic
A record 2,000 runners will climb up the 82 floors of Hong Kong’s tallest building, the iconic International Commerce Centre at the 2017 Vertical World Circuit Grand Finale, Sunday, December 3.
It’s natural that one of the world’s most vertical cities should host the Grand Finale of the 10-race tour and for the sixth consecutive year, “SHKP Vertical Run for Charity: Race to Hong Kong ICC” will do the honours.
No less than fourteen of the world’s top ranked athletes will participate here, competing for the World Champion titles and the end of season prize purse of HK$ 106,000.
Winner and record holder Piotr Lobodzinski, VertiGo, Paris. ©iancorless.com /VWC
Reigning World Champions, Australian Suzy Walsham and Piotr Lobodzinski from Poland will join the 2,000 participants and race up the 1,120 steps of the ICC. Whatever their position, after winning five and six races respectively, the two super-champs lead the ranking and cannot be challenged, even with an extra 20% points awarded at the final here. The VWC ranking is based on the best five results out of ten races.
“It will be my fifth race in Hong Kong ICC since 2013. I’m very excited to participate in the VWC final and to try one more time to win this tough race,” commented Lobodzinski. “I’m feeling strong and confident before Sunday but all the best runners will be there so for sure I will give it 100%!”
Walsham, who has won the race four times, said, “I’m really looking forward to returning to Hong Kong to race up ICC in the VWC Final. Training and racing has been going well so I’m hoping to have a strong run to finish off the year.”
Mark Bourne, 2016 winner, SHKP Vertical Run for Charity: Race to Hong Kong ICC. ©Sporting Republic / VWC
Australian Mark Bourne, three-time race winner here, currently second on the VWC ranking stated, “The Hong Kong race to ICC is always a special event to end the season and I hope to get my third win up this great building. I look forward to seeing everyone on Sunday!”
Italian Marino Giacometti, President of the International Skyrunning Federation, sanctioning body of the Vertical World Circuit will be present. “I would like to say what an honour it is to host the VWC Grand Finale for the sixth time here in Hong Kong. I’d like to thank Sun Hung Kai Properties and the event’s Organizing Committee for holding the “SHKP Vertical Run for Charity: Race to Hong Kong ICC” – setting the stage for another thrilling event. The race gives thousands of runners the opportunity to run with the world’s top athletes. Who knows what new talent might surface on Sunday!”
Marino Giacometti, ISF President. ©Sporting Republic / VWC
Sun Hung Kai Properties, a leading property developer in Hong Kong, opened a new chapter in the city’s stair-climbing history when it staged the first vertical run 2012 at their landmark International Commerce Centre.
A record field, the world’s top athletes, Sunday’s “SHKP Vertical Run for Charity: Race to Hong Kong ICC” is set for an exciting event where the standing race records are just waiting to be broken: 11’52” by Darren Wilson (2015) and 13’47” by Suzy Walsham (2014). The challenge is on!
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2017 Vertical World Circuit rankings
Race website: www.shkpverticalrun.com