Landmark 72, Vietnam’s tallest building, will once again be the site of Vietnam’s highest stair climbing race, t
he Hanoi Vertical Run. On 15 September 2013, hundreds of runners will compete to be the fastest to ascend the
1,914 stairs that lead to the top of the 72-storey tower.
Stair climbing, first known as “vertical races” in the 1970s, is now a global sport with stair climbing clubs hailing from the US,
Canada, Europe and Asia as well as professional athletes who train year-round to be the first to reach the top of the world’s tallest buildings.
Although still a relatively new sport, stair climbing has quickly caught on with fitness enthusiasts attracted not only
by the physical demands of this grueling sport but by also the novelty of competing in unique urban settings
– the world’s tallest structures, some of the tallest of which are located here in Asia.
Sporting Republic, the organisers of the Hanoi Vertical Run, are expecting the event to draw over 500 participants,
including both amateurs and elite athletes.
“One of the main objectives of the Landmark 72 Vertical Run is to promote Hanoi as a leading destination for competitive sports,
business and tourism,” said David Shin, director of Sporting Republic. “And as the event is being held in Vietnam’s tallest building,
it will naturally attract significant attention overseas.”
Runners start off in groups of 10 to 15 at 5 minute intervals to avoid bumping into each other.
Each participant is equipped with an electronic timing chip that tracks his or her progress up the stairs
and at the end provides the precise time the participant crossed the finish line.
Most are likely to take about 20 to 30 minutes to complete the race, although elite competitors can finish in about 10 minutes.
Omar Bekkali of Belgium won the men’s elite division last year, setting the overall fastest time in 10 minutes and 6 seconds.
In the women’s division, Australia’s Suzy Walsham won the women’s elite division, finishing in 11 minutes 20 seconds.
Direct registration at Landmark72’s 7th floor fitness center,
and online registration close on 31st August 2013 with a participation fee of US$25.00 per person.
For more information, please refer to our website: www.landmark72run.com
