Beijing CBD skyscraper to hold the 2014 Vertical Run

German Thomas Dold celebrates being the first man to finish the vertical marathon at the rooftop of World Trade Center Tower 3 in Beijing on August 3, 2013.[Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Runners from over 30 countries will gather in Beijing this Sunday, to climb the 82-story China World Summit Wing at the CBD area as fast as they can, as a part of the 2014 Vertical World Circuit, which is held in some of the world's most iconic skyscrapers, including the Empire State Building in New York City.

Last year, 600 participants joined the vertical run at China World Summit Wing, with Thomas Dold of Germany and Australia's Suzy Walsham winning the title for men and women, taking only 9 minutes and 55 seconds, and 11 minutes 56 seconds, respectively. Dold and Walsham are ready to defend their titles this year.

This year, a quota of 1,000 participants have been registered, with 69 percent male and 31 percent female. The 330m tall building has 2,041 steps in total. The building's rooftop, where the race will finish, offers a bird's eye views across the city of Beijing, including the Forbidden City and other travel attractions.

The race entry fee (100 yuan) and other money raised during the event will go to the charity project "Free Lunch" to help disadvantaged children.

Stair climbing, first known as "vertical races" in the 1970s, is now a global sport, although still relatively new to many. Stair climbing has quickly caught on among fitness enthusiasts attracted not only to the physical demands of this gruelling sport, but also by the novelty of competing in unique urban settings - the world's modern and popular skyscrapers.

Other cities joining the 2014 Vertical World Circuit are New York, Taipei, Paris, Benidorm, Sao Paulo, Shanghai and Hong Kong.