Thousands take part in Taipei 101 run-up race

More than 4,500 people from 38 countries and regions on Sunday challenged themselves in a towerrunning competition in Taipei 101, the landmark skyscraper of Taipei city.

Poland's Piotr Lobodzinsky won the men's group with 11 minutes and 8 seconds, while Australian Suzy Walsham led woman runners with 13 minutes and 16 seconds.

The annual event's sponsors began to offer a special award of 38,000 New Taiwan Dollars (1,236 U.S. dollars) for Taiwan's male and female champions respectively this year to encourage local runners.

The awards finally went to Kuo Chun Ku and Chiu Li-Ching, who clocked 12 minutes 53 seconds and 19 minutes 39 seconds respectively.

Participants in Sunday's event were required to climb up 2,046 steps, or 390 meters, to the building's 91st floor.

Kuo Jin Hor, 56, has participated in the competition every year since it was initiated in 2005. He said he was satisfied with his score of 24 minutes. "As long as I'm physically capable, I'll stick on," he said.

The 509.2-meter-high Taipei 101 was the tallest building in the world until 2010. Endi