Press invitation to western Europe's highest stair-run, thyssenkrupp test tower, Rottweil, 15 September 2019

• The accreditation process for journalists is now under way. Media representatives are invited to experience (and indeed run) the Towerrun for themselves.

• Following the success of last year's inaugural event, this year our test tower for high-speed elevators will also provide the venue for the German Tower-Running Championships for the first time.

• Despite the addition of a professional competition, the famous sporting event will continue to be very much geared towards fun-runners and occasional athletes.

Dear representatives of the media,

The second annual thyssenkrupp TOWERRUN will take place on Sunday 15 September. Together with pulsschlag, it is our pleasure to invite you to attend this highlight of the stair-running calendar.

Whether you're a stair-running rookie or a seasoned professional athlete, and whether you run individually, in a team, or in a relay, the aim remains the same - to conquer thyssenkrupp's test tower. The 246-metre (807ft) tower is used for testing and developing the latest innovations in elevator technology, including the MULTI, the world's first ropeless elevator that can ride horizontally and vertically. The tower opened in 2017 and immediately became a major landmark and visitor attraction. Last year's inaugural TOWERRUN generated enormous interest among potential participants and spectators alike.

Key facts about the thyssenkrupp TOWERRUN:

• The 1,390 steps and 232-metre vertical climb make the event unique in Germany.

• 1,100 runners of all abilities will take on the challenge.

• All entries sold out within just 10 hours.

• The German Championships will be held in Rottweil for the first time.

Competitors from Rottweil, Baden-Württemberg, all over Germany and more than a dozen other countries will also be eligible for points in the German Towerrunning Cup and the Towerrunning world rankings.

The 1,390 steps up to Germany's highest viewing platform make the test tower a special venue even for experienced stair-runners, providing a stern test and an unforgettable experience for every starter. And all finishers will have the chance to enjoy the breathtaking panoramic view over the Black Forest and on to the Alps, regardless of their time.

A particular highlight of this year's event is that the TOWERRUN will be hosting the German Championships for the first time. All competitors with German citizenship will be automatically included in the German Championships. Other new features this year include a new title of Champion of Rottweil and a separate category for police officers. As last year, there will also be a special category for fire-fighters tackling the tower in full kit.

In order to ensure world-class stair-runners like Germany's Christian Riedl have the best possible start position, the number of starters in the elite race will be limited to a maximum of 30. Defending women's champion Martina Nagel will surely be among the elite contingent.

Be part of the show by reporting on the event and capturing the key moments, whether you work behind a camera, a mic or a keyboard. To really appreciate the spirit of the event first-hand, we recommend eschewing our high-speed elevator at least once to climb the steps for yourself.

Doing so will give you a new insight into how important modern mobility systems and technologies are in our daily lives. While scaling a tower's endless steps is an exciting challenge in its own right, we should count ourselves lucky that we don't have to confront it every day. Forward-thinking designs are making urban mobility in modern mega-cities comfortable and efficient, and improving our quality of life. The fact these designs are conceived in Rottweil, in the heart of the Swabian countryside, provides an attractive contrast to urban hustle and bustle. And what better way to appreciate that contrast than to take the stairs up the thyssenkrupp test tower, with its breathtaking viewing platform?

Press registration

If you would like to cover the TOWERRUN as a journalist, please register by 2 September 2019 by e-mailing press.elevator@thyssenkrupp.com . Your message should state your name, which branch of the media you work in, and exactly how you would like to be involved (i.e. whether you would like to take part in the run or not).