Indomitable Lobodzinski and Walsham winners in Beijing

Winners Piotr Lobodzinski and Suzy Walsham. China World Summit Wing Hotel Vertical Run. ©Sporting Republic

Reigning Vertical World Circuit champions, Piotr Lobodzinski and Suzy Walsham are yet again on top of the world after scaling the heights of Beijing’s tallest tower, Lobodzinski setting a new record.

The seventh stage of the Vertical World Circuit nine-race tour took place in China’s capital on September 3, the fourth edition of the China World Summit Wing Hotel Vertical Run. Some 700 runners from 24 countries climbed the 2,041 steps of the building to the rooftop overlooking the city.

Race start China World Summit Wing Hotel Vertical Run. ©Sporting Republic

Lobodzinski, exhausted, breathless, ecstatic, threw himself to the ground at the finish line after an incredible performance shaving 6” off the previous record to close in 9’47”. Second was Australian Mark Bourne in 10’13” and third, Jia Er Ren Jia from China in 11’24”.

Lobodzinski commented, “I’m very happy and satisfied with the fourth win in a row and being here in China World Summit Wing, Beijing. I will continue to be motivated to protect my champion title next year!”

For Australian Suzy Walsham it was another victory, but her 2013 record of 11’46” remains intact. Her winning time today was 11’51”. Second lady was Gao Meng from China with another Australian, Alice McNarama, third, closing in 12’19” and 12’55” respectively.

“This is my fourth time here in Beijing, and my fourth win. I’m definitely thrilled with that,” said Walsham. “The hotel is also the tallest building that I have climbed this year. I am very happy to reach the top to see this view!”

After four straight wins in Beijing, Manila, Dubai and London, Lobodzinski leads the VWC ranking. Spaniard Ignacio Cardona is ranked second and Mark Bourne third. Walsham leads the women’s ranking also after four clear wins, followed by Italian Cristina Bonacina and Czech Lenka Svabikova, third.

The joy of the finish line. China World Summit Wing Hotel Vertical Run. ©Sporting Republic

After London, Dubai, New York, Paris, Manila, Sydney and today’s event in Bejing, the Vertical World Circuit will continue in Asia. Next stop is Shanghai on October 23 and concludes with the grand finale in Hong Kong on December 4 at the SHKP Vertical Run for Charity: Race to Hong Kong ICC where the World Champions will be crowned and awarded the VWC final 100,000 HKD prize.