HCMC to host stair climbing race

Runners will start on the tower’s ground floor and ascend 49 floors to the observation deck, facing the challenge of running up a total 1,002 steps to a height of 178 meters. At the finish line, runners will get to see views of the city’s skyline and the Saigon River.

Stair climbing, first known as “vertical races” in the 1970s, is now a global sport with stair climbing clubs hailing from the U.S., Canada, Europe and Asia as well as elite athletes who train year-round to be the first to reach the top of the world’s tallest buildings. Although still a relatively new sport, stair climbing has quickly caught on with fitness enthusiasts attracted not only by the physical demands of this sport but by also the novelty of competing in unique urban settings.

The 68-floor Bitexco Financial Tower, at 262 meters high, was completed in 2010 as the tallest building in Vietnam, a status it kept until January 2011, when it was surpassed by the 72-floor Keangnam Hanoi Landmark Tower.

The latest Skyrun hosted at the building, in 2019, attracted nearly 400 people. German Thomas Dold holds the record by finishing the 2011 climb in 4 minutes 51 seconds.

“After a three-year break due to Covid-19, we are excited to bring back one of the most anticipated running events in HCMC. We look forward to hosting runners from Vietnam and overseas,” said David Shin, a member of the organizers.

Registration is now underway.