Ho Chi Minh City’s tallest building, Bitexco Financial Tower, will once again host the city’s only stair climbing race – the “HCMC SKYRUN.” On Sunday, 29th October, runners will start at the tower’s ground floor lobby and ascend to the tower’s observation deck on the 49th floor.
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 elite 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.
“After a six year hiatus, we are proud to be bringing back HCMC SKYRUN to Vietnam and having hundreds of runners climbing the stairs once again at Bitexco Financial Tower,” said David Shin, or race organisers Sporting Republic. “We look forward to hosting them and also participants from around the region who will sign up for the challenge.”
The inaugural event in 2011 saw Thomas Dold of Germany win the men’s division, setting the overall fastest time in 4 minutes and 51 seconds. In the women’s division, Italy’s Valentina Belotti reached the top first in 6 minutes and 19 seconds.
Registration is now underway, giving runners a chance to secure their spot on the starting line for the 29th October race, with participation fees starting at 500,000 VND. The 2011 race sold out and organisers once again anticipate strong demand for the race due to the tremendous popularity of running events both nationally and internationally.
Official Event Website: www.sportingrepublic.com/HCMCSKYRUN
