Winners Workman and Hucko
One World Trade Center hosted the T2T Tower Climb Sunday, May 15 – the tallest skyscraper in the western hemisphere and fourth-highest in the world.
The third leg of the 2016 Vertical World Circuit kicked off at 5am Sunday morning to a sleepy New York, but the adrenalin was pumping for nearly 1,000 participants at the start line of the T2T Tower Climb, in memory of 9/11.
New Yorker Alexander Workman and Stephanie Hucko from North Carolina were first to the top of One World Observatory at One World Trade Center – not only New York’s tallest tower but the tallest building in the western hemisphere topping out at 546m at the tip of the spire. The race climbs 104 floors and a lung-busting 2,226 steps – the highest race on the Vertical World Circuit – ever.
The winning times were 14’26” and 16’20” respectively. Stephanie Hucko, 44, second woman at the Empire State Building Run-Up in February, placed an incredible 4th overall.
T2T winner Staphanie Hucko
The T2T Tower Climb joined the 2016 Vertical World Circuit when the organisers got the go-ahead for the event just six weeks ago. VWC competitor, Norbert Lechner from Austria placed 3rd in 15’32”. He commented, “I knew that the race might be too long for me but I think I did quite well and I’m happy. Running up such a building, feeling your legs already on the 30th floor is tough, but reaching the top and to get this view above Manhattan is incredible!”
In its second year, the T2T Tower Climb went an extra 14 floors to One World Observatory at One World Trade Center on the 102nd floor. Last year’s race reached the 90th floor of the building which was still under construction.
“It’s no small task climbing 102 stories by any means”, said Frank Siller, chairman and CEO of the Stephen Siller Tunnels to Towers Foundation, “but to do it with the emotion that most people have going up these staircases, thinking about 9/11 and what this building represents now, the loss of life and the heroism on that day.“
The event raised nearly $300,000 to build homes for injured service members and fund scholarships for firefighters’ children.
The 2016 Vertical World Circuit counts nine races stretching across the globe up some of the most iconic towers in the world.
The highest race on the circuit, the T2T Tower Climb represented the third leg of the nine-races which kicked off in London on March 8th followed by Dubai and New York.
Less than a week away, the VWC heads for Paris on May 20 with the VertiGo and then on to Manila, Sydney, Beijing and Shanghai, to conclude with the Grand Finale in Hong Kong on December 4 where the World Champions will be crowned and awarded cash prizes. Five out of the nine races count for the final ranking.
T2T Tower Climb race results
Men
1. Alexander Workman (USA) – 14’26”
2. Thomas Scott (USA) – 14’34”
3. Norbert Lechner (AUT) – 15’32”
Women
1. Stephanie Hucko (USA) – 16’20”
2. Shari Klarfeld (USA) – 16’36”
3. Tricia O’Hara (USA) – 19’02”
About Vertical World Circuit
Launched in 2009, the Vertical World Circuit stretches across the globe from the heart of Europe to America, Oceania and Asia. The nine-race circuit scores points for the ranking where results of five races are counted.
Facebook: Vertical Running
Twitter: @VWC_vertical
About International Skyrunning Federation
High altitude, whether in the mountains or the city, is the arena of the International Skyrunning Federation (ISF), which governs, promotes and sanctions skyrunning (high altitude mountain running) and skyscraper racing worldwide and has carried out medical research.
www.skyrunning.com
About Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation
The mission of the Foundation is to honour the sacrifice of firefighter Stephen Siller who laid down his life to save others on September 11, 2001.
Facebook: Tunnel to Towers Foundation
Twitter: @Tunnel2Towers
Instagram: @Tunnel2towers