Piotr is a professional climber on vertical circuit.
that an international association has been established in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, to oversee a new running sport: the vertical marathon. (Check out
towerrunning.com) “Running the stairs of a very tall building was originated in the U.S.,” we’re told. “It has become an actual sport and according to organizers of the 2015 Asia Pacific International Vertical Marathon, it’s been growing in popularity amongst active Chinese. The Asia-Pacific Vertical Marathon Association is a joint organization between organizers of the vertical racing event of China, Singapore, Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States. The six-month event attracting more than 500 domestic and international runners concluded on Saturday in Guangzhou. Runners competed in the Canton Tower, a symbolic 111-floor high building with 2,580 stairs in Guangzhou.” Poland’s
Piotr Lobodzinski and Australian
Brooke Logan won titles. Hey, we can do that!
2 Responses
Like many jumpers, I have always run steps but have never tried one of the races. Sounds like fun if you are in shape for the climb.
Guangzhou by the way is an old but very modern city about 90 miles north of Hong Kong. Very friendly people and great food.
I do not recommend this, but if you are looking for an outdoor vertical marathon, see the Pikes Peak Marathon – August 20-21, 2016:
http://www.pikespeakmarathon.org/Course.shtml
Elevation gain (start to summit) is at 7,815′ (2,382m); the start is at 6,300′ (1,920m) and the summit is 14,115′ (4,302m). The Ascent finish/Marathon turnaround is at approximately 14,050′. The Ascent (and ascent leg of the Marathon) has very few stretches which are not going uphill, with the average grade being 11%.
The races begin in front of the City Hall in Manitou Springs, a city of some 5,000 population, located approximately 6 miles west of Colorado Springs, Colorado. While both races begin in the city (and the Marathon finishes in the city) the majority of both races are run on Barr Trail in Pike National Forest. Barr Trail is a US Forest Service trail that is on the east face of Pikes Peak. The race courses do not use any part of the famed Pikes Peak Highway (which is on the north and west flanks of the mountain). The trail is often narrow, winding, and may be gravel, rocks or dirt with sharp turns and abrupt changes in elevation or direction. However, there are no exposed ledges, so there is little danger of falling off the trail!
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