This year, Swissôtel Vertical Marathon celebrated 30 years as Singapore’s first ever vertical marathon. Over 1,600 racers, including world-class competitors, raced up to 73 stories of this iconic hospitality tower.
The race was graced by Deputy CEO of Sport Singapore, Mr Chiang Hock Woon; Diplomatic Attaché, Ms. Jasna Lazarević from the Embassy of Switzerland in Singapore, and Ms. Priscilla Gan, Director of Relations and Engagement for the Community Chest Singapore – each of whom flagged off the Men’s Local, Women’s Local and Corporate Challenge respectively.
Open Categories Winners
Last year winner Piotr Lobodzinski from Poland defended his title as the Men’s Open champion with a remarkable timing of 6 minutes 33 seconds*. New competitors Richard Sirrs and Norbert Lechner took the second and third place with a time of 7 minutes 37 seconds* and 8 minutes 4 seconds* respectively.
Meanwhile, in the Women’s Open, defending champion Suzanne Walsham, an Australian citizen and Singapore permanent resident, completed her 12th Swissôtel Vertical Marathon with a respectable timing of 7 minutes 23 seconds*. Behind her, Iwona Wicha and Vanja Cnops took the runner-up spots with a time of 8 minutes 29 seconds* and 8 minutes 36 seconds* respectively.
The open category winners were each awarded a cash prize of S$1,000 (Champion), S$800 (2nd place) and S$500 (3rd place). The champions of open category, Piotr Lobodzinski and Suzanne Walsham, also received a one-night stay at Swissôtel The Stamford’s newly renovated Harbourview Suite, a Fitbit Charge 2 and a pair of CREATIVE Outlier Sports headphones.
Giving Back to the Community
In line with the hotel’s commitment to give back to the community, the Swissôtel Vertical Marathon raised S$34,112.60 for the Community Chest through the generosity of corporate donors. Many of these donors also participated in the corporate challenge and received their finisher medals from the beneficiaries.
The donations which were presented as a cheque to distinguished guest Ms Priscilla Gan, Director of Relations and Engagement for the Community Chest, will be used to support various communities in need under the Community Chest.
Team Singapore Athletes
This year’s race also marked the inaugural participation of Team Singapore’s athletes who ran for charity together with the hotel’s senior management to mark the anniversary milestone.
Among the athletes were Olympic rower, Saiyidah Aisyah Mohamed Rafa’ee and her brother Syahir Ezekiel Mohamed Rafa’ee, also a Team Singapore rower; Gregory Raymund Foo and Jerome Ng, Team Singapore golfers; U K Shyam (Athletics), Tan Xiang Tian (Wushu) as well as para-athletes Jackie Chionh (Athletics) and Alvina Neo (Shooting).
Team Singapore Para-athletes, Alvina Neo and Mohd Shariff Abdullah touched many hearts when finishing the gruelling vertical race.
Once again, 81-year-old Mr. Teo Hock Chuan returned as the oldest participant.
*Final timings were recorded from the 68th floor, due to inclement weather contingencies.
