Beijing, China, 30 August 2016 – On Saturday, September 3, runners from across the globe will participate in the China World Summit Wing Vertical Run 2016. Running enthusiasts have signed up for this exhilarating race, but vertical running powerhouses make up the elite category for this year’s event.
Following the success of last year’s event, this year’s race has sold out once again as the momentum of vertical running is grabbing the interest of locals and over 20 countries’ international athletes.
Beijing’s tallest building has been selected as Official Race for the 2016 Vertical World Circuit (VWC), the world’s premier skyscraper racing circuit uniting some of the world’s most iconic skyscraper races, including the One World Trade Center in New York City. Runners participating in the VWC will be assigned points based on their result and the male and female competitors with the total highest scores at the end of the year will be declared world champion.
As one of the stops of 2016 Vertical World Circuit, Shangri-La’s China World Summit Wing Vertical Run has 82 floors and 2,041 steps. The fastest runners are expected to reach the rooftop in less than ten minutes and break the record of 9’53. Other cities to join the VWC in 2016 are New York, London, Dubai, Paris, Manila, Sydney, Shanghai and Hong Kong. The elite runners from different countries will compete for a total prize purse of US$6,000.
Piotr Lobodzinski and Walsham to defend titles
Piotr Lobodzinski of Poland won last year’s male elite division by setting the overall fastest time in 9 minutes and 53 second. Lobodzinski is the reigning world champion and favourite to win this year’s Vertical World Circuit.
Australia’s Suzy Walsham won the title last year, finishing in 11 minutes 52 seconds.
“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
Vertical World Circuit: www.verticalworldcircuit.com