30,000 PLN for "Young Minds"! Fast and Valuable Running at Varso Tower!
The fourth edition of the Run Up Varso Tower, a stair run to the tallest building in the European Union, is behind us. The fastest to reach the 53rd floor were world champion Wai Ching Soh and Tea Faber, who smashed the women’s course record.
Favorites Confirm Their Class
In a very strong field of runners from around the world, the main favorites lived up to expectations. At last, the long-awaited victory went to the current world champion and runner-up in the Towerrunning World Association rankings, Wai Ching Soh. For two consecutive years, the Malaysian had to acknowledge the superiority of his toughest rival, Japan’s Ryoji Watanabe, at Varso Tower. In the absence of the Japanese athlete this time, Soh gave no chance to the competition, reaching the finish line in 6 minutes and 50 seconds. Only Fabio Ruga (Italy) managed to keep close, finishing less than two seconds behind. Third place went to Austria’s Klaus Hausleitner, who crossed the line more than 20 seconds later, just ahead of the top Pole, Paweł Ruszała.
Wai Ching Soh at the finish line / photo: Tomasz Markowski
Women’s podium, from left: Valentina Belotti, Tea Faber, Klaudia Krajewska
Running for a Good Cause
However, everyone who crossed the finish line that day at Highline Warsaw, on the 53rd floor of the skyscraper, could feel like a winner. Not only because the reward for their effort was a commemorative medal and a breathtaking view of Warsaw from 230 meters above ground.
Everyone who completed the race contributed their own small, 30 PLN “brick” to a donation that went to the UNAWEZA Foundation, founded by Martyna Wojciechowska, to support the project 'Young Minds. Open about Mental Health.' The amount collected exceeded 25,000 PLN, and the funder — the HB Reavis Foundation — decided to increase the donation to 30,000 PLN. Additional support for the campaign was provided by numerous online creators, who participated in the event that day, raising awareness about the importance of young people’s mental health.