Spring is in the air bringing novelties for the 2018 Vertical World Circuit which kicks off with some of the world’s highest skyscraper races, a new London venue and a new ranking system.
The nine-race circuit launches with a new race, the Lotte World Tower International Sky Run in Seoul, Korea on May 13. It is the world’s sixth tallest building and the highest stair climbing race on the circuit topping out at 555m above street level with a lung-busting 2,917 steps. Last year the race featured as a VWC Exhibition Race.
New York T2T Tower Climb 2017 winner and record holder Suzy Walsham. ©VWC / Sporting Republic
Again, New York’s One World Trade Center, the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere, stars on the circuit with the T2T Tower Climb, together with the VertiGo up the Tour First, towering above the French capital.
A new London venue is in store in partnership with Total Motion Events, the UK’s stair climb specialist who have created and advised on numerous events for charities and corporate partners. The venue will be announced shortly. Matt Hudson, CEO, commented, “We’re very excited to propose a new London venue on the Vertical World Circuit and we’re very pleased to be working with VWC and such prestigious races.”
Tour First, VertiGo venue in Paris. ©iancorless.com
The VWC ranking system has also been fine-tuned, introducing 25% bonus points in one race per continent and a 50% bonus at the Hong Kong Grand Finale. Marino Giacometti, President, International Skyrunning Federation, the governing body of the VWC, stated, “The introduction of the continental bonus points underlines the global reach of the circuit and gives more runners a better chance to fight for the ranking.”
The Vertical World Circuit returns to Asia in the second half of the season to Manila touching on iconic towers in Beijing, Shanghai and Osaka to close in Hong Kong which once again will represent the Grand Finale with the SHKP Vertical Run for Charity – Race to Hong Kong ICC on December 2 where the World Champion titles and end of season prizes will be awarded.
2017 Lotte World Tower Sky Run winners with ISF President Marino Giacometti. ©Sporting Republic
2018 VERTICAL WORLD CIRCUIT
May 13 SEOUL: Lotte World Tower International Sky Run
May 24 PARIS: VertiGo
June 3 *NEW YORK: T2T Tower Climb
July 8 MANILA: Kerry Sports Manila Vertical Run
August 25 *BEIJING: China World Summit Wing, Beijing Vertical Run
October 21 SHANGHAI: SHKP Vertical Run for Charity – Race to Shanghai IFC
November 4 OSAKA: Harukas Skyrun
December 2 **HONG KONG: SHKP Vertical Run for Charity – Race to Hong Kong ICC
? *LONDON: (Venue and date to be announced)
(*) Bonus 25% ranking points
(**) Bonus 50% ranking points
Ranking
Three races award an extra 25% bonus points
The Grand Finale race awards 50% bonus points
– five best results out of the nine races are counted
– max two races with 25% bonus points
2017 Vertical World Circuit Ranking
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