Runners race up Beijing's tallest building

Fed up with running on a treadmill? Intimidated by the grueling full marathon distance? Or fearful of polluted air outside? Why not try a vertical run up the stairs of the China World Summit Wing, in Beijing.

The landmark building, which towers 330 meters over the capital's central business district, is part of the Vertical World Circuit, or VWC, the world's first and only skyscraper race event, which is held annually in iconic skyscrapers across the world, including the Empire State Building in New York City and Taipei 101.

VWC runners from around the world are assigned points based on their results and the male and female competitors with the highest scores at the end of the year are declared world champion.

This year's China World Summit Wing Hotel Vertical Run was held on Sept 7 and drew nearly 600 participants, including 24 elite runners, from more than 20 countries.

The competitors climbed 2,041 steps while racing up 82 floors to finish at the building's rooftop.

Piotr Lobodzinski from Poland won the men's elite title with a time of 10 minutes and 1 second. He beat last year's champion, Thomas Dold from Germany, who finished in second place, by nine seconds. Defending champion Suzy Walsham from Australia won the women's elite title again with a time of 11 minutes and 50 seconds.

Proceeds from the race entry fees, which totaled 87,700 yuan ($14,300), were donated to ifeng.com's Forever Happiness, a charity program that helps disadvantaged children in China through social and recreational activities, as well as the provision of insurance and shelter.

The China World Summit Wing Beijing has 278 guestrooms and suites and features the city's highest dining and entertainment venues. It was the second time the hotel hosted the capital's only international stair climbing race. The first one was held on Aug 3, last year.

VWC's next race will be held at Chongqing's tallest building, the 245-meter The Westin Chongqing Liberation Square, on Sept 13.