Thousands Race to the Top of Taipei 101 in Annual Staircase Marathon

TaiwanPlus News

Thousands of people raced up 91 floors of Taiwan's tallest skyscraper in the annual Taipei 101 vertical marathon. The race began in 2005, when the men's and women's records were set, and have never been broken. Elite runners from around the world flock to Taiwan's capital to participate, hoping to become the champion, and break their own personal records.

Transcript

00:00We are here at the top of Taiwan's tallest skyscraper, where thousands of people have just finished the annual Taipei 101 run-up.

00:07It's a vertical marathon in the country's iconic landmark.

00:11They've just climbed up 91 floors, that's over 2,000 steps, and 390 meters.

00:17We saw many people make it to the finish line and then collapse, others still standing.

00:21I'm so glad I finished, because I was questioning myself while I was climbing.

00:30I almost wanted to give up, but I keep remembering people who supported me, so I keep going no matter what, and I never give up.

00:39And I finished, and I just collapsed right away.

00:41Now, this is not an easy race, and some people have taken just 15 minutes,

01:10others longer as they race up the stairs, even pulling themselves up with their arms at the end.

01:15The men's and women's records have not been beat since the first race 20 years ago in 2005,

01:21and there's a prize of $6,000 U.S. dollars if someone does.

01:24But for many, it's not about breaking the overall record. It's about beating their own.

01:30What time do you think?

01:31What time? About 11 minutes to 25 today, but my target was 11 minutes to 15.

01:39About 10 seconds late, but next year, I must challenge again, again.

01:48Why Taipei? Why Taipei?

01:50This was my first time, so I didn't really know what to expect, but I really love trail running.

01:55And what's it like the first time racing Taipei 101 with your son?

01:59Well, I couldn't even see him. He ran way faster than me, so I'm glad to see that he was so far away.

02:05And despite all the effort it took them to climb up these 91 floors,

02:10there's something about this crazy challenge that keeps them climbing up to the top year after year.

02:15Kamashiri and Tiffany Wong at Taipei 101 for Taiwan Plus.

02:17Please don't go for it.

02:18You can try 15AD kilometers killings.

02:23There's something about it.

02:26You can try 15AD degrees for kidding me.

02:29You can use this possible experience.

02:29If you're not getting started, think it's exciting.

02:31I don't know that I Rif filters certainly can try 15AD degrees either when consolidating idea gaat in 30 minutes.

02:35You can see a thumbs up being back through the mountain sun.

02:37Nobody cares about it holding tears.

02:38You will have high-pудь thoughts of waving that open and state back to Disney which closes the world around withude-

02:42Maybe it's not a scenic wore a future that you will Espany.

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