An event which sees people race up to the top of Leicester’s St George’s Tower has attracted runners from as far as Spain and Austria, with over 100 runners already set to climb the 351 steps of the city’s most iconic building.
Saturday 11th March will see the return of the UK Tower Running Championships to Leicester, as both elite participants and charity fundraisers alike climb the iconic blue building for LOROS Hospice.
Among those who have signed up for the event, which is in its second year, is Austrian tower runner, Rolf Majcen, who is currently ranked 29th in the world.
“Although the race itself is relatively short compared to events like The Empire State Building Run Up, it is a tremendous challenge because your body has to work at its limit throughout,” said Rolf.
“St George’s Tower will be my 142nd stair climb and I’m really looking forward to visiting my first UK city outside of London.”
Competing against Rolf in a bid to retain his title is reigning UK Champion Mark ‘The Marauder’ Sims.
“It’s great to be able to combine the sport I enjoy with raising funds for such a worthwhile cause. I’ve been training hard so hope I can climb as fast if not faster than last year,” said Mark, who last year climbed the tower in just 95.62 seconds.
2017 has already seen three times as many sign-up to tackle to the tower’s 20 floors, with participants ranging from local runners and walkers through to some of Europe’s best stair climbers.
LOROS Challenge Events Co-ordinator, Andrew Ward said: “It’s brilliant that we’ve be able to bring this event to Leicester for the second year running.
“Last year, times ranged from just 95 seconds to six minutes, it really is amazing to see such a wide variety of people getting involved all in support of LOROS.”
As a reward for completing the climb, participants will each receive a finisher’s medal and be able to enjoy stunning views of across the whole city from the finish line on the top floor.
For more information or to find out how you can sign up, visit loros.co.uk/tower Entry costs just £17 or is free for anyone that pledges to raise £50 for LOROS.
