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365 runners 'rise' to the occasion at SkyRun

Dubai - Proceeds of the event to go to Al Jalila Foundation's obesity research

Polish "vertical runner" Piotr Lobodzinski broke a local record on Friday by racing 52-floors - a total of 1,334 steps or 265 metres - to the top of Jumeirah Emirates Tower in seven minutes and 18 seconds and emerged victorious in the Dubai Holding SkyRun 2016.
Lobodzinski was one of 365 local and international runners who participated in the 14th edition of the SkyRun, the proceeds of which will go to the Al Jalila Foundation's obesity research. The race is aimed at encouraging the UAE's population to make healthy behavioural changes, particularly in the fight against rising levels of obesity and Type 2 diabetes in the country.
The race - the second in the Vertical World Circuit - saw wide participation from local companies and entities, with a particularly large team from Dubai's Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA).
Lobodzinski, a two-time Vertical World Champion, is a veteran vertical runner, having won the 2015 Eiffel Tower Run Up and 43 other wins out of 73 stair races, including Beijing, Shanghai, London and Singapore.
"It was a very tough race. My time of seven minutes and 18 seconds shows how tough this course is," he said following the race. "I'm very happy to be the winner today and that I set a new course record, and I hope to come back next year."
Additionally, Lobodzinski explained that pacing and the usage of arms are the keys to success in vertical running.
"I think you have to start really slowly. If you start too fast, then you suffer after 10 or 15 floors," he said. "You must start slowly, two steps at a time, and you must use your hands and arms with the hand rails."
The women's category was won by Australian Singapore resident Suzy Walsham, who ran the course in eight minutes and 38 seconds. Like Lobodzinski, Walsham is also a former Vertical Running Circuit champion.
The Vertical World Circuit continues on May 20 at the 225 metre-tall Tour First Tower in Paris, before heading to Manila, Sydney, Beijing and Shanghai, and concluding with a 2,120 step run up the International Commerce Centre in Hong Kong.
bernd@khaleejtimes.com