Turning 25 this year, the Swissotel Vertical Marathon has really come of age. Starting as a novel race concept for 180 glut destroyers in 1987, the race has since been inducted into the Vertical World Circuit. Towers of stairs, all around the world envy, the nine iconic buildings that make up the circuit.

Heading the skyscraper pack is the Empire State Building, in New York City followed by eight other high architectural statements with Singapore’s famous Swissotel as eighth. 73 stories, a total of 1,336 steps to scale, the Vertical Marathon may not be 42.12km long, but it will have you fighting gravity itself.

In a blazing 7:16 minutes, Matthias Jahn shot up the 226m tall spiral, clinching 1st place in 2011. The German along with returning champion, Suzanne (Suzy) Walsham, 8:23 minutes represented Singapore in the world vertical climbing arena in 2011.

These are the categories featuring at the 2012 race:

• Men’s/Women’s Under 20
• Men’s/Women’s 20 – 29
• Men’s/Women’s 30 – 39
• Men’s/Women’s 40 – 49
• Men’s/Women’s Above 50
• Men’s/Women’s Open
• Buddies & Besties Challenge
• Corporate Challenge

The fastest man and women in the open categories will win a coveted spot in a by invitation only Empire State Building Run-Up 2013 in New York, USA, which includes round-trip airfare and accommodation.

Runsociety is looking forward to your photos in our runners’ gallery. See you on 25th November 2012. For more information and registration, check out the new website! It has history of the sky-high marathon, past winners, photographs of races and much more exciting details. Find the fun at: www.swissotelverticalmarathon.com