Dubai Holding, the global investment holding company, in partnership with Jumeirah Emirates Towers, has announced that Piotr Lobodzinski from Poland set a course-record for Dubai Holding SkyRun by scaling the 1,334 steps, 265 metres, 52 floors, to the top of Jumeirah Emirates Towers’ office building.

An official event of the Dubai Sports Council, the Dubai Holding SkyRun saw a record participation of 363 runners at the 14th edition of the race, which is organised in support of Al Jalila Foundation’s obesity research. The event is the second race in the Vertical World Circuit (VWC) of skyscraper runs in iconic towers in famous cities. The VWC 2016 kicked off in London in March before moving along to Dubai, and will continue onwards to Paris, Manila, Sydney, Beijing, Shanghai to conclude with the Grand Finale in Hong Kong.

His Excellency Saeed Hareb, Secretary General of Dubai Sports Council awarded the prizes to the fastest winners. The fastest female runner Suzanne Walsham reached the top in 8:38 minutes and the winning male runner, Piotr Lobodzinski, ascended in 7:18 minutes. The fastest team, ‘Talise Fitness JBH’ completed the race in 12:06 minutes. 

Participants included UAE residents, international elite runners and wellness-focussed corporates, as well as Dubai Holding’s team led by Ahmad Bin Byat, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of the Company. 

Cedric Betis, Chairman of Dubai Holding Wellness Committee, said: “Dubai Holding places great emphasis on fitness and healthy living and I would like to thank all the participants today for truly championing our values. We hosted an unprecedented number of runners this year, not only from the UAE but also from across the world. The resounding success of this run has helped us extend the impact of the Dubai Holding Corporate Wellness Programme to the health and wellbeing of the wider community for years to come.”

He added: “Over the past 14 years, we contributed to Dubai’s sports calendar and are proud to see the vertical run now gain international recognition as a major sporting event.”

Dr Abdulkareem Sultan Al Olama, Chief Executive Officer of Al Jalila Foundation, commented: "It is very gratifying to see our partnership with Dubai Holding on promoting health and wellbeing in the UAE go from strength to strength. All funds raised at the Dubai Holding SkyRun will support obesity research, a major concern in the UAE and the region. Over the years, we have been able to successfully invest in and advance medical research to address lifestyle related diseases, namely diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease. This further complements the positive steps that companies like Dubai Holding are taking to foster a fitter, healthier and more productive workforce and community."

The Dubai Holding SkyRun was organised by Talise Fitness and hosted by Jumeirah Emirates Towers. Other sponsors included Technogym, SHARP- ITL COSMOS GROUP, Dubai Eye 103.8, Physique TV , Coco Pro, Costa, Dubai Bone and Joint Center, du, MonViso, noviplus, OutdoorUAE, Reebok and Spinneys. 

Dubai Holding SkyRun is a key pillar of Dubai Holding’s Corporate Wellness Programme, an award-winning wellness programme that is completing its 10th year in 2017.