KiÄtŜaŇ's BlÖg: Swissotel Vertical Marathon 2009

(Poster & Banner of Swissotel Vertical Marathon 2009)

After attending my army friend’s wedding dinner last night, I conquered the Swissotel vertical marathon once again with KT for the 4th time in the morning this year. This year will be the last time that I will be racing in the Men’s 20-29 category as I will be promoted to the next category next year…

This year, as KT’s friend with his gf joining the race, so we decided to start our race in the last detail of our category so that KT’s friend gf can join the race with us with the 1st detail of the female category. As such, it also gives us some pressure, so we need to make sure that the female participants don’t overtake us during the race, if not very malu…

This time, I clocked a timing of 12.54 min which was slightly better than last year’s timing of 13.51 min. I believe it was due to some stair climbing training that I have few week ago. I was glad that I am still able to maintain this timing.

(Before & after the race)

(Medals & Awards)

When we reached the Helipad on the 73th storey, we did not have much rest but we were targeted by 1 helper who kept on chasing us down the helipad so as not to cause a big crowd above… KT explained to him we are the last detail in our category to reach here, but he kept on chasing us to go down but not chase the others who cross the finish line much earlier than us…. What the FISH… Anyway, I took a few photos of the Marina IR before we left and I also posted the same spot of the Marina IR taken in 2007 and 2008.

Photos of Marina IR taken in year 2007, 2008 and 2009 from Swissotel 73rd sty Helipad (From left to right)

This year, the defending Male champion of the Men’s Open cateory from Germany, Mr Thomas Dold broke his own record once again with a timing of 6.46min which is 6 sec faster than the record he set last year. As for the Woman’s Open category, last year’s depending champion, Ms Suzanne Elizabeth Walsham still manage to maintain her title despite her injury during her Empire State Run up early this year. During the prize presentation, the organizer also announced that today is actually Ms Suzanne’s birthday. Haha.

(Just before the start of the Men's Open Category race)

Once again, I saw the 82 years old uncle who conquered the climb. I got inspired by this uncle who took part in the challenge every year. Next year will be his 10th attempt and I hope to see him once again. 3 Cheers for him. Ü

(Prize presentation to the Men's and Woman's Open Category + oldest participant in the race)

My next challenge will be the Tiong Bahru Challenge coming up in Dec this year where I need to start the race with a 5 km run, followed by climbing a 30 storey high HDB flat. Actually I have went for a few trail run for this event few weeks ago and it should not be a problem, except that whether I am able to achieve a good timing? Haha.