Beijing's tallest building loomed over the horizon.<br /> <br />But the imposing building failed to intimidate these vertical runners, who were determined to race to the top.<br /> <br />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.<br /> <br />Placed in different running categories they attempted to speedily ascend the 330-metre-building.<br /> <br />Piotr Lobodinski from Poland was the first to crawl past the finish line.<br /> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (English) PIOTR LOBODINSKI, VERTICAL RUNNER FROM POLAND, SAYING:<br /> <br />"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."<br /> <br />Australian and defending champion Suzy Walsham won first place in the women's group with a time of 11 minutes and 50 seconds.<br /> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (English) SUZY WALSHAM,
