New Year run: Ready, set, go!

Video and photos by Liu Xudong

The 2025 Ping An Finance Center Vertical Marathon took place Saturday, with 1,000 top runners from around the world competing to race up the tallest building in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). The 599-meter-tall Shenzhen Ping An Finance Center hosted the event, drawing global runners as a premier sports event in the region.

Officially recognized by the Tower Running Association (TWA), the marathon offered a top prize of 10,000 yuan (US$1,364) and was designated as a “Towerrunning 200” event.

Japan’s Ryoji Watanabe, currently world’s No.1 staire climber, triumphed in the elite men’s division, setting a new course record with a time of 19 minutes and 24 seconds. Croatia’s Tea Faber won the elite women’s race. They both broke their personal bests. Among the international contenders were top marathoners from Slovakia, Italy, Australia, Malaysia, and Japan, with world-ranked athletes from the Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Shanghai marathons also competing.

The event featured a diverse mix of participants, including local teams from Shenzhen’s police, traffic police, and fire departments, as well as runners from over 30 running clubs and top universities in the GBA.

Third-place winner Fabio Ruga, from Italy, crosses the finnish line, completing the race in 19 minutes and 36 seconds.

Saturday’s event features a diverse mix of participants.

Croatia’s Tea Faber (L), winner of the women’s group, and Japan’s Ryoji Watanabe, the men’s champion, receive cash prizes during a ceremony following the event at the Ping An Finance Center on Saturday.

Ryoji from Japan wins the elite men's category in 19 minutes 24 seconds during the 2025 Ping An Finance Center Vertical Marathon.

Participants purchase peripheral products.

Participants are ready for the race.

Dedicated participants at Saturday’s event.

Participants stretch after the race.