Aspire Zone Foundation is challenging residents and international towerrunners to climb to new heights announcing that the annual Torch Staircase Run will be the region’s only towerrunning World Cup Grand Prix event of the year.
Set to take place on March 29, the event was recently inducted into the Tower Running World Association (TWA), and will see competitors race up 51 floors of Qatar’s tallest building – The Torch-Doha Hotel.
Abdulaziz al-Mahmoud, Director General of Aspire Logistics and an entrant in the race said, “Aspire Zone Foundation is honoured that the torch staircase run is now recognised as the region’s Grand Prix Towerrunning event. The event continues to grow every year and is now attracting professional runners as well as giving the local community an opportunity to set themselves a challenge by conquering the Torch.”
As the race has officially been appointed World Cup Grand Prix status this year, a number of regional and international champions are set to participate, including Suzy Walsham from Australia, who currently leads the female category, and Piotr Lobodzinski from Poland, who is first in the male category.
President of the Towerrunning World Association Sebastian Wurster commented on the appointment, “The Towerrunning sport is conquering the world. The Arab region, with its huge number of breath-taking skyscrapers, will play a steadily increasing role in the global stair racing network.”
“We are proud to welcome Qatar and the Torch Staircase Run to our exclusive Towerrunning Grand Prix series for the first time. Many of the world’s leading stair runners have already confirmed their participation so we expect a great battle for World Cup points in Doha,” he added.
Following in the footsteps of many other landmark races around the world including SkyRun MesseTurm Frankfurt and the Rondo 1 Run Up Warsaw, the inaugural Torch Staircase Run in 2012 marked the first of its kind in the region.
The Torch-Doha Hotel Manager, Sherif Sabry, said, “It gives me great pleasure to welcome competitors to the 3rd edition of the Torch Staircase Run. It is very exciting that this year’s race will be included in the official International calendar of the Towerrunning World Association. The Torch Staircase Run is a fantastic initiative, and we are proud to be co-hosting this event with Aspire Logistics.”
He continued, “In addition to the race, a range of family entertainment activities will be available on the day for those who wish to come down to cheer on the contestants.”
Limited spaces are available and are expected to fill quickly. For more information or to register for the event, please visit www.aspirezone.qa/events.