Hundreds race to the top in Torch Staircase Run
The world’s top male tower-runner, Piotr Lobodzinksi of Poland, broke the course record at the third annual Torch Staircase Run in Doha on Saturday after scaling the hotel in a record time of six minutes and 14 seconds.
Organised by Aspire Zone Foundation (AZF), the Torch Staircase Run is the only Tower-running World Association (TWA) Grand Prix event in the region.
The Torch Doha event was Lobodzinski’s second consecutive championship victory following his first place finish on home soil in Warsaw, Poland, a fortnight ago.
"I came to the Torch Staircase Run with the aim of defending my World Cup title and, having broken the course record in Doha, I’m confident that I can achieve this," Lobodzinski said.
"This is my second first place victory of the new season and I aim to keep up my winning streak."
The 1,304-step race up the 300 metre structure saw five tower-running World Cup athletes, joined by nearly 350 Qatari residents, converge on Aspire Zone to conquer the building.
Female world champion Suzy Walsham maintained her position at the top of the women’s category by ascending the tower in seven minutes 42 seconds, and later marvelled at the race’s unrivalled setting.
"The Torch is a spectacular-looking building, in fact it’s the sort of building you walk past and think, ‘wow, that’s one I should run up’,” said Walsham.
"From a technical perspective the stairs are actually very high and there are lots of them per floor, so it’s actually a tougher race when compared to some others."
Nevertheless, the Australian athlete noted that such challenges had not deterred members of the public, especially women, from taking part.
"It was really great to see so many female athletes warming up downstairs because typically you don’t often find many women attracted to these sorts of events due to their intensity and difficulty."
The inspirational nature of the event was typified by Moussa Dahdouh, a former boxer who lost the use of his left leg in a car accident seven years ago.
Now a member of the Qatar Paralympic Association, he took part in the Torch Staircase Run for the first time this year.
"I was excited but nervous about the event but trained every day to be able to compete,” said the 24-year old Algerian.
"Despite my injury I think my fitness levels are what helped me reach the top of the Torch to see the spectacular views of Doha."
Tower-running began in the Empire State Building in New York and spread across North America before becoming a globally recognised sport.
Staying true to its roots, the TWA kicked off its Grand Prix season in New York last month. (Gulf Times)
Photo by Nishant Kaura from QL FLickr Group
Yes, there needs to be separate classifications for people of different weight.
This is very important.
MM has a valid point. Tummy size plays a major part in running up the stairs. In the next years competition organisers must consider this aspect.
What's his shoe size?
He weighs .... how much ? Let's know about that first ....
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Sun , 30.03.2014, 07.53 hrs .....................................................................................................