The Great Stair Challenge is the new addition to the always fun and challenging events by Runivore (see link for their other events.) This time the concept was simple: 1300 stairs in one kilometre and only 1 champion!
The challenge promised to be fast with some of the fastest legs in Taiwan in the start list. Stair runner HSIN KAI SU, who won a vertical race the day before, Chou Ching, Taiwan trail Champion, Ben Young, Runivore 5km record holder, Sasha, and many more.
At 9am the first wave of runners started running/climbing and in less than 10 minutes they were already arriving to the finish line.
Do not let the fast times fool you into believing it was an easy challenge. Most runners needed a few minutes to recover from the fast pace going uphill. Some had technical difficulties during the last stairs when their legs decided that they did not want to run anymore. But as usual, mind over body, all runners managed to finish.
After all the runners got to the top and had some refreshments it was time for a group picture before heading back to the start-line where great vegan food by Runivore was being prepared for all the runners.
Once everyone had eaten it was time to announce the winners and a couple of important awards:
Youngest runner (11 years old): 許舒涵 15:41
Oldest runner (72 years old): PING CHANG LIN 林秉常 14:34
The King of the Zhinan Challenge: Record Holder: 郭俊谷 Kuo Chun ku 7:29
Second place: Ben Young 7:38
Third place: HSIN KAI SU 7:46
For females the Queen of the challenge and Record holder was:
Hyon Shim Chong 9:53
Second place: Stella Chen 11:06
Third place: Yi Pei Chen 11:59
Hopefully for the next edition (which many are asking to make it a biannual event) will bring more runners both from road and trail to make the event even more competitive.
In the meantime don't forget that:
Don’t forget to check out and support the great vegan products Runivore has here.
Also, check out more running photos here.
See you soon,
Randall VB