The grand finale of the Vertical World Circuit heads for San Paolo, Brazil on January 25 where top skyscraper racers will compete for the world champion title and cash prize.In celebrating the city’s foundation on January 25, 1554, the “Corrida Vertical” will take place on the 149m tall building, home to the Abril publishing company, sponsors of the event. The building is the 6th tallest in a city populated by giants, counting no less than150 towers. Thirty floors and 666 steps will lead the gasping runners to the summit where the 2011 Vertical World Circuit Champions will be crowned.
Leading the ranking is skyscraper specialist Thomas Dold from Germany, six times winner of the Empire State Building Run-Up, and standing 2010 VWC champion. Matthias Jahn, also from Germany, Belgian Omar Bekkali are contendrs to look out for with Italy’s Fabio Ruga representing the biggest challenge.
Italians Cristina Bonacina and Valentina Belotti head the women’s ranking, followed by 2010 reigning champion Melissa Moon from New Zealand and Australian Suzy Walsham, both past winners in New York. Melissa Moon, Cristina Bonacina and Fabio Ruga, members of Vibram’s FiveFingers® team, will race up the tower wearing the FiveFingers® “footgloves” designed to help balance, stability and propulsion – just the job!
Skyscraper racing, governed by the International Skyrunning Federation, is becoming increasingly popular: last year more than 7,000 runners from 30 countries took part in the Vertical World Circuit which unites some of the world’s most iconic skyscraper races in eight major cities across four continents - from the Americas to the heart of Europe and the Far East.
After New York, Basel, London, Taipei, Berlin, Milan, Singapore and next week’s final in San Paolo where the 2011 champions will be crowned, the exciting 2012 Vertical World Circuit calendar will be announced.
See www.corridavertical.com.br and www.verticalrunning.org for full information