Story by REDintern Alan Chiang. Picture by REDintern Shaun Ow and Nyan Fu Keong

national vertical challenge

Couples awaiting the start of the race to the top. (Photo 1 © Shaun Ow/Red Sports)

Republic Plaza, Sunday, February 8, 2009 - Couples flocked in and conquered the 60-storey climb to the top of Republic Plaza this morning at the National Vertical Marathon.

Organized by the NTU Sports Club and in its 15th year, this demanding challenge is the first and oldest vertical running challenge since 1994.

Participants had to defy height, strength and stamina to climb 60 floors, totaling 1380 steps to hit about 280 metres above sea level.

This year, a record total of 1,638 participants signed up for the vertical test. 1,451 participants took part last year.

With Valentine's Day approaching this coming Saturday, the focus was on couples who ran the race together.

Teck Hui, 32 and his wife Brenda, 28 said, "This climb symbolizes our love to overcome any obstacles ahead of us."

Edward, 32 and Eileen, 25, who are married, likes sports and exercises regularly. They said, "This is a venue for us to work out together. We even took part in last year's Sundown Marathon."

The couples took part in the Lovers' Challenge category, a category that was introduced in 2001.

All participants were also treated to Youth Olympics themed side attractions above Raffles Place MRT. The event grounds incorporated elements of the 2010 Youth Olympic Games such as Basketball, Tennis, Bowling, Soccer and even Archery.

The results of the other categories are below.

Top 3 for men:
Gino Ng 0:07:52
Wong Yashan Melvin 0:07:57
Sikhander Singh 0:08:03

Top 3 for women:
Grace Lim Bee Chan 0:10:06
Sumiko Tan 0:10:20
Colleen Koh 0:11:44

Top 3 for Veterans’ Challenge
Jeremy Paul 0:10:41
How Choon Kiat 0:10:49
Choon Yoon Tak 0:10:57

N.B. The oldest participant was Mr Tan Soo Cheng, 83, and his timing was 39:07.

Top 3 for Youth’s Challenge
Aldrich Lim Jing Hong 0:08:18
Koh Yi Thong 0:09:53
Loh Lianhan 0:10:18

Top 3 for Lovers’ Challenge
Sikhander Singh/Sumiko Tan 0:10:00
Teng Teck Hou/Julie Ong 0:10:22
Yeo Hai Wee Edward/Eileen Tan Yee Lee 0:11:05

Top 3 for CDL Corporate Challenge
DSTA 6:30
Club HDB Team 2 7:04
Club HDB Team 1 7:11

Top 3 for Inter-JC Challenge
Cjc odac team 1 0:53:49
Cjc odac team 2 0:54:27
Cjc odac team 3 0:58:08

Top 3 for NTU Team Open
Andrew Wu 0:51:18
Edwin Ng 0:59:55
Charlotte Huang 1:09:27

national vertical challenge

Teck Hui and his wife Brenda before the challenge. (Photo 2 © Shaun Ow/Red Sports)

national vertical challenge

Eileen and Edward eventually finished third in 11 minutes and 5 seconds. (Photo 3 © Shaun Ow/Red Sports)

national vertical challenge

Participants of the Women Open category Veronica, Shu Qi, Jing Wen and Hui Li all smiles before the race. (Photo 4 © Nyan Fu Keong/Red Sports)

national vertical challenge

Still a long way to go. (Photo 5 © Nyan Fu Keong/Red Sports)

national vertical challenge

A participant slowly scaling the scaling the 60-route. (Photo 6 © Nyan Fu Keong/Red Sports)

national vertical challenge

Smiles as she overtakes a fellow contestant. (Photo 7 © Nyan Fu Keong/Red Sports)

national vertical challenge

Six more floors to go! (Photo 8 © Nyan Fu Keong/Red Sports)

national vertical challenge

The finish line! (Photo 9 © Nyan Fu Keong/Red Sports)

national vertical challenge

“Nice race!” A handshake at the end. (Photo 10 © Nyan Fu Keong/Red Sports)