Doha: Aspire Zone hosted the annual Aspire Torch Staircase Run and the inaugural Towerrunning World Championships at Torch Hotel.
The race is one-of-its-kind to be officially organised in the Middle East and highlights Aspire Zone’s efforts to continue to organise events to promote a healthy lifestyle, encourage the community to be active and encourage participants to push themselves to their physical limit.
The run, a high point on International Tower Runners’ calendar, included a two-day programme with three heats comprising distances and competition modes.
More than 500 runners, including 100 athletes from around the world, participated. The challenging route comprised 1,304 steps and runners had to make their way to the top of the 300-metre tower on the 51st floor, depending on the race stage.
An honouring ceremony was held yesterday, attended by Khalid Abdullah Al Sulaiteen, CEO, Aspire Zone, Ali Al Fehaidi, Acting Director-General, Aspire Logistics; Phillip Templar, Director, Aspire Venues and Events; Sebastian Wurster, President, Towerrunning World Association (TWA); and Daniel Cencetka, Vice-President, TWA, runners and guests were present.
Runners from various categories were recognised for their achievements. The categories included Men and Women; Under 21; Open 40+, 50+; and the Fastest Overall. The top five winners were presented with world championship awards, along with the fastest male team and the fastest female team.
Piotr Lobodzinski (Poland) was the winner in the men’s category and was crowned Men’s 2015 Towerrunning Champion; Andrea Mayr (Austria) won in the women’s category and was crowned Female 2015 Towerrunning Champion; Mark Born, Darren Wilson and Suzanne Walsham (Australia) won team gold medal; Andrew Jones (the UK) was the Fastest Overall Time winner from the community in men’s category with seven minutes and 54 seconds and Raimey Olthieuous (Canada) with 10 minutes and 23 seconds.
Al Sulaiteen said: “Aspire Zone is proud to be hosting the 2015 Towerrunning World Championship after competing with Empire State Building in New York City.
“Hosting and organising such competitions proves that Qatar is able to perform and represent them on a global scale.
“I would like to thank TWA for choosing Aspire Zone and my congratulations to winners, you should be proud of your results. I am also happy to have the local community participate in the event with over 400 from Qatar.”
Wurster thanked the Aspire Zone team for their commitment to pull together the event and excellent organisation and congratulated international and local winners.
The 2014 edition of Aspire Torch Staircase Run was awarded Grand Prix status and attracted 350 runners, including some of the best staircase runners from Europe, the US and Australia and is supported by Al Kass, Qatar Living and the hotel.
The Peninsula
