Australian skyscraper racer Suzy Walsham takes her fourth world title at the grand finale of the Vertical World Circuit at the Race to Hong Kong ICC on Sunday, December 7. Poland’s Piotr Lobodzinski took the men’s title, thanks to his ranking points scored in the previous circuit races. Race winners were Walsham and fellow Australian, Darren Wilson – for the first time on top of the podium. Both runners broke the standing race records.

This spectacular and extremely challenging race, now in its third year, climbs 2,120 steps up 82 floors to the summit of Hong Kong’s highest building, the International Commerce Centre. For the last two years, the race has represented the grand finale of the eight-race global circuit spanning three continents.

A stacked field counting some of the world’s most competitive skyscraper racers together with more than 1,200 runners toed the start line of the ICC tower. Winner Darren Wilson sliced 7 seconds off the record, closing in 11’57”. 2013 VWC Champion and race winner, Mark Bourne, was second here today and Lobodzinski, third. However, with the points scored in today’s final, he maintains his ranking leadership – and takes the world title.

In the women’s field, Walsham was supreme and remained unchallenged with five straight wins, beating her own record from last year by 44”. She closed in 13’48”. Second and third places went to China’s Gan Xue and Hui Ji Zhang.

Runners participating in the VWC are assigned points based on the four best results in the eight-race circuit. The final VWC prize of HKD 100,000 was awarded to the circuit’s top three ranked men and women as well as HKD 60,000 to the race winners. Teams and individual local runners also participated to help raise funds for child and youth services charities.

Raymond Kwok, SHKP Chairman, Managing Director and Event Organizing Committee Chairman, said, “This year’s event consists of two races, the earlier ‘Race to Shanghai IFC’ at Shanghai International Finance Centre and today’s ‘Race to Hong Kong ICC’. In other words, we have covered two major final races of Vertical World Circuit, indicating the rising reputation of ‘SHKP Run for Charity’ in the international sporting scene. Vertical running is not limited by time and weather conditions. It’s easy to find a venue, which makes it the perfect sport for urbanites to strengthen their cardio-respiratory capacity in long term.”

Thomas Kwok, SHKP Chairman, Managing Director, commented, “SHKP is devoted in fulfilling its corporate social responsibilities, which include the promotion of a healthy and sustainable lifestyle. We have held the vertical race for three consecutive years, and as the final stop of Vertical World Circuit, ‘Race to Hong Kong ICC’ helps further our message of healthy lifestyle to a wider audience. SHKP hopes that the related community activities would initiate more people to engage in sporting activities, and develop healthier lifestyles.”

The eight-race Vertical World Circuit stretches across the globe, zig-zagging from New York toTaipei, fromParis and Benidormin Europe,toBeijing andBrazil, before returning to the Far East inShanghai and concluding with the grand finale in Hong Kong.

High altitude, whether in the mountains or the city, is the playground of the International Skyrunning Federation (ISF), which governs, promotes and sanctions skyrunning (high altitude mountain running) and skyscraper racing worldwide. This was the third edition of the race, which became affiliated with the ISF in 2013. ISF President, Marino Giacometti, after climbing the 2,120 steps himself, commented, “It was a really tough race compared to Taipei 101 which is a similar height. The ICC is the tallest building on the circuit and counts the most steps.” He added, “I was impressed by the excellent organization and attention to detail on all levels – we’re very proud to have this race represent the VWC final.”

2014 VWC final ranking

Men

1. Piotr Lobodzinksi (POL) – 400 points

2. Darren Wilson (AUS) – 358 points

3. Omar Bekkali (BEL)- 320 points

Women

1. Suzy Walsham (AUS) – 520 points

2. Cristina Bonacina (ITA) – 320 points

3. Gan Xue (CHN) – 280 points

(Full 2014 VWC ranking here)

Race results 2014 Race to Hong Kong ICC

Men

1. Darren Wilson (AUS) – 11’57”

2. Mark Bourne (AUS) – 12’20”

3. Piotr Lobodzinski (POL) – 12’26”

4. Omar Bekkali (BEL) – 12’54”

5. Eirik Haugsnes (NOR) – 13’35”

Women

1. Suzy Walsham (AUS) – 13’48”

2. Xue Gan (CHN) – 15’08”

3. Hui Ji Zhang (CHN) – 17’19”

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VWC website: www.verticalrunning.org

Race website: www.shkpverticalrun.com