On 26 August 2017, Saturday, runners from across the globe will participate in the China World Summit Wing, Beijing Vertical Run 2017. Running enthusiasts have signed up for this exhilarating race, but vertical running powerhouses make up the elite category of this year’s event.

This is the fifth time that the Vertical World Circuit has hosted their official race at the tallest building in Beijing and following the success of last year’s vertical run, this race will aim to sell out once again as the vertical running momentum has caught the interest of locals and international athletes from over 20 countries.

Beijing’s tallest vertical run has been selected as Official Race for the 2017 Vertical World Circuit (VWC), a skyscraper racing circuit uniting some of the world’s most iconic skyscraper races, including the One World Trade Center Climb 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 highest total scores at the end of the year will be crowned world champion.

As one of the stops of the 2017VWC, the China World Summit Wing, Beijing Vertical Run has 82 floors and 2,041 steps. The fastest runners are expected to reach the rooftop in less than 10minutes and break the record of 9 minutes, 47 seconds. Other cities to join the VWC in 2017are Dubai, London, Paris, New York, Manila, Beijing, Sydney, Shanghai, Osaka and Hong Kong.

This year, a group of elite runners from different countries will compete for a total prize purse of USD 5,000. In addition, the fastest male and female runners from the public will be awarded a round-trip flight ticket to Europe supported by Qatar Airways.

Charity
All charitable proceeds raised from the China World Summit Wing Vertical Run 2017 will benefit U-Life (www.ugongyi.org), an NGO offering education to primary students in remote mountainous villages in China.Since 2014, it has given lessons to 166 remote primary schools, benefiting 5,000 students and 217 teachers.

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 9minutes,47seconds. Heis the reigning world champion and currently leads the 2017Vertical World Circuit rankings.

Australia’s Suzy Walsham won the title last year, finishing in 11 minutes, 51 seconds. Walsham is a multiple winner of Hong Kong’s prestigious Race to Hong Kong ICC.

“We are extremely proud to see the fifth edition of the event hosted at the tallest building in Beijing. We are happy to support community events at our hotel, especially those that help raise funds for charity and I hope they continue to grow and flourish in our wonderful city. Every one of the registered runners confirms our commitment to this amazing sporting competition,” said Mr Hakan Ozel, general manager of China World Summit Wing, Beijing.

Sponsors and partners of the China World Summit Wing, Beijing Vertical Run 2017include China World Trade Centre, Qatar Airways, China World Mall, Hong Kong International Clinic, 5100 Tibet Spring and PlayerLayer. The race is governed by the International Skyrunning Federation and produced by Sporting Republic.

Official event website: www.beijingverticalrun.com
Vertical World Circuit: www.verticalworldcircuit.com