Beijing's tallest building loomed over the horizon.
But the imposing building failed to intimidate these vertical runners, who were determined to race to the top.
Competitors from about 20 countries had to clamber up more than 2,000 stairs or 82 floors to the helipad on top of the China World Summit Wing hotel.
Placed in different running categories they attempted to speedily ascend the 330-metre-building.
Piotr Lobodinski from Poland was the first to crawl past the finish line.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) PIOTR LOBODINSKI, VERTICAL RUNNER FROM POLAND, SAYING:
"I was really exhausted, almost dying, so I was on the ground may be five minutes lying to feel better. So the race is really long. I'm really exhausted and tired. But also I'm very happy because I won, last year, I was second."
Australian and defending champion Suzy Walsham won first place in the women's group with a time of 11 minutes and 50 seconds.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) SUZY WALSHAM,
