Suzy Walsham, 2015 Beijing winner
The 2016 Vertical World Circuit heads for Asia on the seventh stage of the nine-race tour on September 3rd. It will be the turn of Beijing where the world’s top skyscraper racers will be joined by local runners to climb the heights of the China World Summit Wing tower – 330m, 82 floors and 2,041 steps.
The China World Summit Wing Hotel Vertical Run will host some 600 participants from 20 countries including the elite runners participating in the VWC for ranking points and final prizes.
Heading the all-star line-up will be 2015 VWC world champions and record holders here, Poland’s Piotr Lobodzinski and Australia’s Suzy Walsham. The records to beat? Lobodzinski’s 2015 time of 9’53” and Walsham’s 2013 record of 11’46”.
Piotr Lobodzinski, Beijing 2015
With three straight wins after Dubai, Manila and Sydney, Walsham rises to the second rung of the VWC rankings while Lobodzinski is in second position.
Among the elite participating are Australian Mark Bourne, fresh from his recent victory on the last VWC stop in Sydney. He placed second in Beijing in 2015 and currently holds 5th place on the ranking. Hoi Chun Eric Yeung from Hong Kong, is currently ranked fourth after racing successfully in the VWC Paris, Manila and Sydney events. China’s Ma Zhengtong placed third in Beijing last year and no doubt will be aiming for another podium slot.
After, London, Dubai, New York, Paris, Manila and Sydney, the Vertical World Circuit will continue in Asia. After Beijing it will stop over in Shanghai and conclude with the grand finale in Hong Kong on December 4 at the SHKP Vertical Run for Charity: Race to Hong Kong ICC where the World Champions will be crowned and awarded the VWC final 100,000 HKD prize.
China World Trade Center Tower
Ranking is based on the results of five out of nine races. At the final, an extra 20% points are awarded.
“We are pleased to be bringing the Vertical World Circuit back to Beijing for the 4th time,” said David Shin, race director and International Skyrunning Federation representative. “This year, locals and internationals alike will 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.”
Official event website: www.chinaverticalrun.com