Matthias towers above the competition
Tower 42, the City’s tallest building, and Shelter hosted the UK’s first ever tower running event Vertical Rush, held in London earlier today (19 March). The 800m run was attempted by over 600 competitors.
Official press release – ‘Vertical Rush proves a towering success’
The UK’s first tower running event sets a record 4.22 minute run up 920 steps, raising £100,000 for Shelter Tower 42 and Shelter, the housing and homelessness charity, today (19 March) hosted Vertical Rush, the UK’s first ever tower running event. Over 600 participants climbed the 920 steps of Tower 42, a massive 800 metres to the top of the City’s tallest building, with amazing £100,000 raised for Shelter through this amazing event.
Inspired by the famous Empire State Building Run Up, Tower 42 and Shelter worked together to bring this one-of-a-kind event to the UK, which saw groups of runners setting off in hourly slots to set their chip-timed personal best times.
This was a unique sporting event, the first official stairwell race to be held in the UK, and as such attracted the interest of celebrity supporters Duncan Bannatyne and Gladiator “Tempest” as well as professional distance sportsmen and experienced tower-runners Rolf Majcen from Austria and Matthias Jahn from Germany.
Matthias Jahn
The over all winner was German stair runner Matthias Jahn, who ran the 920 steps in an incredible time of 4 minutes 22 seconds. Jahn said:
‘I’m absolutely delighted with the time that I made, especially with so many other stair running enthusiasts participating. I’ve run in courses all over the world I don’t think there was any other event in Europe to attract so many participants. What I love about the sport is the contrast, when you’re in the stairwell its dark, your isolated with little air to breathe and then suddenly you burst into sparkling day light and beautiful views. I’ve never been to London before and because it’s been such a fantastic day I’m bringing my girlfriend over from Germany tomorrow for champagne in Vertico, Tower 42, to enjoy the stunning views across London
Matthias and Andy Symonds share a joke
Peter Merrett the General Manager at Tower 42 said
This has been a great success, one of the biggest charity events in Tower 42’s history, and I am delighted that we have inspired so many people from all over London, and indeed Europe, to take part in a physical challenge for a great cause. I would like to thank all those who competed today even though I am still stunned with the speed at which some participants completed the challenge…they have certainly set a standard for my team!
Alan Gosschalk, Shelter’s Director of Fundraising, said
Shelter would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who was involved in making Vertical Rush such a success. The effort put in by those taking part in scaling the City’s tallest building has not only made for a fantastic day, it has also raised £70,000 to help Shelter’s vital work helping homeless and badly housed families.
