Dubai prepares for vertical marathon

Athletes are getting ready to take on the vertical marathon in Dubai later this month.

 Racers from around the world will be gathering at the Jumeirah Emirates Tower on May 28th for the vertical marathon.

Organised to raise money for Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), the event aims to get more than 200 participants to scale the 350m-high tower.

Anyone who decides to take part in the gruelling physical challenge will need to run up 1,334 stairs to cover the 52 floors which make up this annual race.

It is the seventh time that it has been held in the emirate and this year, anyone landing on flights to Dubai will find even more entertainment on offer, as the vertical marathon will coincide with the tenth anniversary celebrations for the tower.

Last year, the winning competitor managed the climb in eight minutes and 46 seconds. Overall, the event raised more than AED 160,000 (£29,486) for MSF.

Anyone who wants to watch the runners set off on their mammoth climb should make sure that they are at the foot of the Jumierah Emirates Tower by 08:00 (local time) on the day of the event.

Written by Anthony Nicholson