The 75-year-old Italian Giovanni Potenza grabbed the spotlight at the 2019 Dubai Run vertical (SkyRun) race held yesterday at Jumeirah Emirates Towers, in partnership with Dubai Sports Council, the International Vertical Running Federation and the World Vertical Race Tour. Jumeirah Group and Thales Fitness.

Potenza managed to finish the race, setting a new record, after completing its first cycle in 12 minutes and 19 seconds, and then finished the second cycle in 13 minutes and 32 seconds, and concluded the last in 13 minutes and 10 seconds, an average of 13 minutes, which made him celebrate dancing at the end The race was applauded by the participants.

Japan's 75-year-old Hiroko Shinzato also finished the race in 17 minutes 13 seconds.

Potenza said he was keen to complete the race to the end, proving to everyone that the sport was not age-related and that there was no limit to the specific type of sports one could play.

“My participation was meant to show support, through the fitness challenge, and it was a great experience to come here, and I would like to thank the organizers of this wonderful sporting event.

`` I thank all those who supported me in this race, and I will be keen to come here again in 2020, and I will work hard to achieve a new record better than this year.

This year's Sky Run saw a new record set by Poland's Piotr Lubodzinski, who climbed 52 floors, or 1.334 stairs, to reach the top of the iconic Emirates Towers in six minutes 55 seconds, 14 seconds off the record he set. In the previous cycle (7 seven minutes and 9 seconds).

Suzanne and Cham completed the race in eight minutes and three seconds, 13 seconds ahead (eight minutes and 16 seconds).

The race is part of the Dubai Fitness Challenge 2019 and saw a record participation of 500 racers from 53 different countries who competed for 265 meters to reach the top of the Emirates Towers building.

The race is ranked as the fifth highest vertical race to climb skyscrapers in the world.It is held annually to highlight the status of Dubai on the map of global sporting events, joining a group of prestigious vertical races in the most famous cities of the world, such as: New York, London, Paris, Milan, Seoul, Beijing, Shanghai, Osaka and Hong Kong.

`` We are delighted that the two world champions have won the vertical race, and we are proud that the elite athletes in this game have won most of the top spots, and we are amazed at the diversity of participants from 53 nationalities, '' said the head of the International Vertical Running Federation, Marino Giacometti. `` I congratulate all the contestants for their exceptional performance and sporting spirit that has been an inspiration and inspiration for everyone to persevere and challenge to reach new heights, '' said Amit Kochal, CEO of Dubai Holding Group. I would also like to thank all our sponsors and partners who have been instrumental in the success of this event. ”

Numbers of the race

■ Italian Potenza (75 years) climbed the Emirates Towers in 13 minutes for each round of ascent.

■ Japanese elderly Shinsato (75 years) also broke the race in 17 minutes and 13 seconds.

■ Polish champion Lubodzinski managed to climb 52 floors in 6 minutes 55 seconds.

■ The Dubai Fitness Challenge was held at the competition and saw 500 participants from 53 nationalities.

■ Susan and Cham also managed to finish the race in 8 minutes and 3 seconds.

Participants competed for a height of 265 meters to reach the Emirates Towers summit.