Shanghai Tower Women's Vertical Marathon returns with expanded course and new team challenge

(ECNS) -- On Sunday, Shanghai Tower—China's tallest skyscraper—hosted the second edition of its Women's Vertical Marathon, drawing some 800 female athletes from over ten countries and regions.

Mei Xue, general manager of Shanghai Tower Business Operation Co. and a race participant, reflected, "With every step upward, we're not just climbing floors but pushing beyond our own limits."

Responding to feedback that last year's 40-floor ascent (floors 79 to 119) felt too brief, organizers extended this year's course to 50 floors (floors 69 to 119), ramping up both physical and mental demands.

A new "Honey Team Challenge" invited pairs—mothers and daughters, sisters, or best friends—to conquer the vertical climb side by side, underscoring teamwork and camaraderie.

In the individual category, Chinese athlete Xu Heping claimed victory with a time of 9 minutes 50 seconds. In the Honey Team Challenge, compatriots Ding Shali and Wu Binhui topped the podium with a combined time of 26 minutes 51 seconds.

Julie Rose Vilvandre, a French student at Shanghai Normal University, described the experience as "unique" and "inclusive." She praised the event's relaxed, festive atmosphere and felt it showcased the city's warmth and openness to international participants.

The marathon was organized by Shanghai Tower and supported by the Samaranch Sports Development Foundation and the Lujiazui Administration of the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone.

(By Gong Weiwei)