VietNamNet Bridge - Bitexco Vertical Run 2011, the first-ever skyscrapers running competition on Vietnam, was held in HCM City on October 30.
In the men’s Elite category, Vertical World Circuit (VWC) champion Thomas Dold of Germany came first after running up a total 1,002 steps to a height of 178m of Bitexco Financial Tower, the highest building in HCM City, with 4’ 51”.

Dold completed 1,002 steps of the race to reach the 49th floor with 4 minutes and 51 seconds to bag the first prize of the men’s professional group, followed by Emanuel Manzi from Italy at 5:27 minutes and Nguyen Ngoc Quang of Vietnam at 5:30.

In the women’s Elite category, Italian Valentine Belotti finished first with 6’19”, outstripping her first runner-up, VWC champion Melissa Moon of New Zealand, by 15 seconds. The third place went to Bridget Robertson of New Zealand with 6’59”.

Runner Dwayne Fernandes won the title for the handicapped event when he finished the race with 14:31.
The organizing board presented prizes to male and female runners in age groups of under 19, 20-29, 30-39, over 40, over 50, and university students challenge.

Each winner will receive a cash prize of US$1,500, and the first and second runner up will be awarded $700 and $300 respectively.

As a trial competition for the VWC 2011, the Bitexco Vertical Run 2011 attracted more than 500 Vietnamese and foreign runners.
Designed to represent Vietnam’s national flower, the lotus, this 262-meter skyscraper is meant to characterize the beauty and growth of HCM City.

The building was completed on October 31, 2010, after more than five years under construction, at the cost of US$220 million. With speeds of seven meters per second, the elevators in the building are the third-fastest in the world.

There's an observation deck on the 47th floor, where visitors get a 360-degree view of HCM City, and a helipad on the 50th level, creating one of the structures most salient features.


PV