Army veteran Andrico Mahilum will once again take on the challenges offered by the Citi Vertical Run Manila 2019 when its reels off Sept. 22.
The 34-year-old sergeant will see action in the most difficult part of the race, the Full Challenge, which will cover 59 floors or 1,353 steps at 250 meters inside the Shangri-La Manila Hotel at the Fort in Taguig.
“Matagal na ako sumasali sa mga takbuhang ganito. Dati ay galing ako sa trail running. Dito, ang difference, napaka-challenging. Dapat maingat ka sa steps mo,” said Mahilum, the fastest finishing Filipino last year.
The annual competition, now on its fourth year, will be in partnership with Kerry Sports Manila, and it will go as high as the penthouse of one of the tallest skyscrapers in the metro at 229.3 meters.
And for Mahilum, he will go out there to beat his personal record of seven minutes and 53 seconds.
Mahilum is preparing well for the event and he believes that a healthy diet and enough rest and recovery time will allow him to have a faster time.
“This is the fourth time that we are doing it here at the Shangri-La. The race is similar from last year. The shorter climbs are for the family, while the longer ones are for the serious runners,” said race director David Shin of Sporting Republic.
Last year, Poland’s Piotr Åobodzinski and Australia’s Suzy Walsham emerged as repeat winners.
Åobodzinsk has joined in similar events in Paris and New York and won it in 6 minutes and 56 seconds to bag his 3rd straight win in the men’s elite category of the 59-floor, stair-climbing race.
Walsham had a time of 8 minutes and 13 seconds to defend the women’s title.
The event builds on its previous staging that has seen participants’ fitness tested to the limits.
The race has been given the “Qualified Race (QR)” title by the International Skyrunning Federation, the world governing body for skyscraper racing.
“We’ve had a solid run for three years and every year it keeps getting better and better. We look forward to partnering with Citi to make this event a huge success,” said John Rice, General Manager of Shangri-La at the Fort, Manila, and Area Vice-President for Philippine Properties, at the press launch for the event on Aug. 22 at Kerry Sports Manila.
Organizers have expanded the number of categories runners can join in, namely, the Full Challenge, Four-Runners Challenge, Horizon Challenge and Fun Climb.
The Full Challenge will see runners race up to 59 floors, conquering 1,353 steps at 250 meters. The minimum age for this category is 18 years old. Registration fee for it is placed at P1,500.
The Four-Runners Challenge will see a team of four-run together the 59 floors. Their official record will be based on the third runner that crosses the finish line. Registration cost is P6,000 for the entire team.
Meanwhile, the Horizon Challenge is a fun challenge by running up 37 floors. Minimum age requirement is 12 years old. Rate is at P1,200.
The Fun Climb is for beginners or non-runners who wish to try the Vertical Run. In it, runners only climb up to 20 floors. Minimum age requirement is 10 years old. Rate is at P1,200.