Stair climbers conquer the TK Elevator test tower in Rottweil

Rottweil, September 16, 2024 - The fifth edition of the TK Elevator towerrun took place on Sunday: 1,390 steps and 232 meters in altitude had to be conquered in the TK Elevator test tower in Rottweil, Germany. Over 1,200 starters from 18 nations ensured a sold-out race and were rewarded at the finish with a breathtaking view from Germany's highest viewing platform over the Black Forest and as far as the Alps.

The TK Elevator towerrun 2024 was an event for all ages and abilities - top international runners, firefighters and ambitious recreational runners took to the starting line. With an age range of almost 70 years, the event was a generational run. The youngest stair runner was just 7 years old and the oldest stair runner reached the finish line at the age of 76. An incomparable sense of achievement awaited all participants: at the finish line, the athletes were treated to a breathtaking panoramic view of the Black Forest and as far as the Alps. A total of 68 employees took part in the home race for TK Elevator.

"Our TK Elevator towerrun is a unique experience every year and shows what human will and endurance are capable of. We are proud to host this competition up to Germany's highest visitor platform and to welcome the stair runners from all over the world. Their stamina and enthusiasm make the TK Elevator test tower a place that combines top sporting performance and technology," said a delighted Beate Höhnle, Manager of the TK Elevator test tower in Rottweil, which has become an attraction and landmark in the region since its completion in 2017.

The battle for the vertical victory of the civilian top runners promised to be exciting. Verena Schmitz from Constance won the women's competition in a new test tower best time. The reigning German champion from Constance needed 9:07 minutes for the 1,390 steps and relegated her young rival Sarah Seher (9:31 minutes) to second place. Monica Carl (9:35 minutes) was close behind in third place.

In the men's race, Christian Riedl was unable to repeat his title from the previous year. World number one Wai Ching Soh from Malaysia secured victory in the highest staircase run in Europe in a thrilling duel and in a time of 7:07 minutes ahead of course record holder Riedl, who finished four seconds later on Sunday. Tobias Fischer climbed to third place (7:41 min.).

In addition to the "civilian" runners, numerous firefighters also equipped themselves for the challenge. The uniformed rescuers were each able to conquer the TK Elevator test tower as a team of two - most of them with breathing apparatus attached and a total weight of around 25 kilograms of equipment. By far the most strenuous way to reach the "summit" at a height of 232 meters on this day, it was also an impressive sight for the spectators who came to the fifth edition.

Local heroes from the Rottweil fire department take third place in the men's breathing apparatus competition

Christoph Groß and Philipp Großmann won the fire department competition with breathing apparatus. The duo from the Stuttgart professional fire department took 14:25 minutes. Local heroes Gabriel Jäger and Benjamin Sigrist from the Rottweil fire department came third in the men's race (15:15 minutes). The women's race was won by Swiss runners Elina Grenacher and Seraina Heid from the Brugg fire department in 23:49 minutes, while Jasmin Bohun and Damian Pyka (20:41 minutes) came out on top in the mixed competition.

In the competition without breathing apparatus, last year's winner Timo Bender and his new partner Moritz Pelosato finished at the top of the podium in a time of 14:12 minutes. In the women's competition, Jasmin Bohun and Petra Koch (25:56 min.) repeated their victory from the previous year and Fabian Kluge and Maimuna Krüger (19:02 min.) won the mixed competition.