-- Recently – The Made in Jingdezhen · 2025 Shanghai Tower Towerrunning Challenge officially commenced today, marking the start of its first-day events. As the first race following the upgrade and expansion of the Shanghai Tower Towerrunning Challenge series, it attracted 3,000 participants from over 20 countries and regions worldwide.They measured China's tallest building step by step, embodying the ultimate challenge of vertical climbing at the top of Shanghai.
Soh Wai Ching from Malaysia claimed the Men's individual champion with a time of 18 minutes and 3 seconds
Event Fully Upgraded and Expanded
It is directed by the Shanghai Sports Federation, the Pudong New Area People's Government, and Shanghai Chengtou (Group) Co., Ltd., hosted by Shanghai Tower, supported by the Samaranch Sports Development Foundation, the Publicity Department of the CPC Shanghai Pudong New Area Committee (Cultural, Sports and Tourism Bureau of Pudong New Area) and the Lujiazui Administration Bureau. The race has been certified by the Shanghai Administration of Sports as a major international and domestic sports event this year.
At the event, Mr. Yu Zaiqing, IOC (International Olympic Committee) Member, Vice President of the Chinese Olympic Committee, and Founding Chairman of the Samaranch Foundation, expressed appreciation in his on-site speech for Shanghai Tower promoting healthy, active lifestyles through sports and upholding Olympic values. He affirmed the Foundation’s continued partnership with Shanghai Tower to promote international sports and cultural initiatives that spread the Olympic ideal and cultural education through high-quality, world-class sports and cultural activities.
The event's Ambassador, Juan Antonio Samaranch, IOC Vice President, Founder and Honorary Chairman of the Samaranch Foundation, also conveyed his best wishes and expectations to the participants via video message. He stated, "This event is not only a shining pearl among global towerrunning challenges but also serves as a bridge connecting people across the world, collectively inheriting and promoting the timeless Olympic spirit of perseverance and the pursuit of excellence."
This year’s race featured 3,000 participant slots, divided into two categories: Individual Full Race and Individual Fun Run. Participants came from over 20 countries and regions including China, Japan, Malaysia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, Poland, and Slovakia.
22nd November featured the intense competition of the Individual Full Race. The course, with a vertical height of 552 meters from the 1st floor to the finish line on the 119th floor, comprised 3,398 steps. After the starting signal, para-athletes Zhang Liangmin and Pan Nianshuo, alongside representatives from the Lujiazui SRC Sustainable Running Club, set off first as pace-setting guests. Ultimately, Soh Wai Ching from Malaysia claimed the Men's Individual champion with a time of 18 minutes and 3 seconds, while Tia Faber from Croatia won the women’s division in 21 minutes and 7 seconds.
To incentive the participation of Chinese participants and attract more outstanding Chinese athletes to the sport, the event continued to awarded the "Special Award for Chinese Athletes". Wang Guolong in the men's category and Huang Fei in the women's category received this special award.
Crossover Integration of "Sports+"
As an urban landmark event, the Shanghai Tower Towerrunning Challenge not only showcases competitive passion but also deeply integrates the spirit of sports with technology, culture, and public welfare, serving as a vital platform to promote public fitness and demonstrate urban vitality of Shanghai.
This year, Shanghai Tower merged technology with the event by introducing exoskeleton robots from ULS Robotics. Utilizing smart sensors and power assistance, these robots support users in making a steady climb. These devices supported participants during the Fun Run, enabling more people to experience the joy of running upwards. Additionally, humanoid robots and robotic dogs from the Shanghai Humanoid Robot Innovation Incubator also cheered on the participants, enhancing the festive atmosphere with cutting-edge tech.
The fusion of “Sports + Culture” continued this year. Once again partnering with Jingdezhen, the birthplace of Chinese porcelain, the event incorporated millennia-old ceramic artistry into its modern event's awards system. Creating unique ceramic trophies that combine the traditional gourd shape, symbolizing fortune, prosperity and longevity, with modern vertical racing elements, reflecting the event's spirit of "Challenge Yourself, Race to the Top", while conveying heartfelt blessings to all participants.
The deep integration of “Sports + Public Welfare” further amplified the event’s social impact. The organizing committee collaborated with institutions and public welfare organizations including the Shanghai Disabled Persons’ Cultural and Sports Promotion Center, CPIC Blue Foundation，and Shanghai United Foundation to invite individuals from special groups, including visually impaired runners, to join the race accompanied by professionals. Their participation demonstrated values of equality, inclusion, and respect.
In contrast to the intense Full Race held on the 22nd, the Fun Run aimed at providing more opportunities for more ordinary people to experience the joy brought by tower-running and advocating for a healthier lifestyle took place on 23rd November.
Since 2019, the Fun Run has been highly popular among participants.In this category, participants need to run from the 1st floor to the 22nd floor. Upon finishing, they can take an elevator directly to the Shanghai Tower Observation Deck on the 119th floor to enjoy panoramic views of the Huangpu River and the city skyline.This experiential combination of "Sports + sightseeing" attracts participants across different ages, with many treating the Fun Run as a parent-child activity, evidenced by numerous happy families running together on the course.
Delivering “Top Value” of the Event
Since 2017, the Shanghai Tower Towerrunning Challenge has earned acclaim for its high-standard organization and global influence. Repeatedly honored as a Major International and Domestic Sports Event in Shanghai, it received top-tier certification authorization from the Towerrunning World Association (TWA) and stands as the world’s largest, highest-scoring, and highest-altitude of its host building.
Shanghai Tower has actively driven the professionalization and standardization of the event. It spearheaded the creation of the world’s first service standard for tower running event and, earlier this year, received dual certification as both a “Shanghai Brand” and a “Shanghai Sports Developing Events”—marking a new milestone in its journey toward excellence.
Representatives from Shanghai Tower expressed that receiving the dual certifications is both an honor and a catalyst. The future of the Shanghai Tower Towerrunning Challenge will be a two-way journey of growth alongside the city.They aim to transcend physical and competitive heights together with the partners from all sectors, contributing a sustainable model for elite events. Beyond delivering a spectacular, safe, and professional world-class race, Shanghai Tower aspires to showcase Shanghai’s innovative spirit and serve as a global bridge for sports and cultural exchange, contributing its unique "top" value to Shanghai's construction as a world-renowned sports city.
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