Bourne and Walsham smash Shanghai records

Race winners and new record holders at SHKP Vertical Run for Charity – Race to Shanghai IFC, Suzy Walsham and Mark Bourne. ©Sporting Republic

Records were smashed with Australians Mark Bourne and Suzy Walsham beating their own race times set back in 2014 at the SHKP Vertical Run for Charity – Race to Shanghai IFC. The new records for ascending the 1,460 steps and 54 floors of the Shanghai IFC tower are 7’42” and 9’15” respectively.

Another record was the number of runners who took part overall – 1,600 participants, representing increase of 200 over last year.

Race favourite, reigning VWC champion and ranking leader Piotr Lobodzinski from Poland, was a disappointed second, in 7’47”, but retains his ranking leadership. Italy’s Emanuele Manzi was third in 8’16”.

“I’m very unhappy after today’s race,” commented Lobodzinski. “ I was leading all the way up and Mark was fallowing me one metre behind. Just three floors to finish he made attack and passed me, I slowed down and finished disappointed, walking. It was very fast race with Mark setting a new course record”.

SHKP Vertical Run for Charity – Race to Shanghai IFC race start. ©Sporting Republic

Bourne, who was 2013 VWC champion, now moves up to the second slot of the VWC rankings with a chance of regaining the title at the finals.

“I am very happy to be in good form and come back to win in Shanghai again after 2014,” said Bourne. “The race was very close, Piotr and I pushed each other to fast times. A new race record is always a nice achievement!”

There was never any doubt about the outcome of the women’s race, with reigning VWC champion and ranking leader Suzy Walsham not just out front, but slicing 5” off her own record at the finish line. Australian Alice McNamara was an excellent second in 9’40” and China’s Meng Gao, third in 10’29”.

“I’m really happy with my result, especially the course record time,” said Walsham. “The women’s field was strong and everyone is improving, so it was great to win. The building suits me and I enjoyed the race.” With five clear wins, she has mathematically won the circuit where five out of the nine races count for the rankings and even with the 20% of extra points awarded at the finals, is untouchable.

Lobodzinski 2nd, Bourne 1st, Manzi 3rd. ©Sportiing Republic

Piotr Lobodzinski 2nd, Mark Bourne 1st, Emanuele Manzi 3rd. ©Sportiing Republic

Today’s race is sister event to the SHKP Vertical Run for Charity: Race to Hong Kong ICC which will hold the grand finale of the 2016 Vertical World Circuit on December 4. Both events are held in iconic skyscrapers in spectacular positions on the sea front, owned by developers Sung Hung Kai Properties (SHKP).

The nine-race circuit has crossed the world, touching on some of the tallest towers in four continents – New York, London, Paris and Dubai, Sydney, Manila and Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong. An exhibition race in Osaka, Japan will be held in December, closing the season before the exciting new 2017 Vertical World Circuit is announced.

Join us for the Vertical World Circuit grand finale in Hong Kong on December 4 where the 2016 champions will be crowned and the HKD 100,000 end of season prizes will be awarded to the top three ranked men and women.

Race results
Men