THE EIFFEL TOWER VERTICAL® 2017

1st event of the 10th edition of the EcoTrail de Paris® - March 16th 2017

The Eiffel Tower Vertical® - the "vertical kilometer" of the EcoTrail de Paris® - is an ascent race going all the way up the most visited paid-for monument in the world. This high-speed time trial race (start every 30 seconds or every minute) is a true physical challenge, set in a monument that is the very definition of challenge. The number of participants keeps growing, with 28 more runners this year than last year. On the evening of March 16th 2017, the 128 runners will start climbing the 1665 steps of the Eiffel Tower by night.

A race for both elite and enthusiasts:

- 40 elite runners from the running world, all selected by an expert commitee

 - 78 amateur runners drawn on press conference day (December 12th)

- 10 wildcard runners chosen directly by the organization

PRE-REGISTRATION ENDS NOVEMBER 30TH 2016

A UNIQUE RACE

Unlike the similar events taking place in indoor staircases around the world, the Eiffel Tower's stairs are opened to the outside. Climbing between the second and third floors, which are usually closed to the public, will give participants the sensation of flying, making this race a unique challenge.

It is the first race of this type since 1906.

Key figures for the Eiffel Tower:

- Number of steps (via the East pillar to the top) : 1665

- Original height : 312 meters (to the tip of the flagpole)

- Current height (inc. aerials): 324 meters

- Platform heights :

1st plateform : 57 meters ;

2nd plateform underside : 115 meters ;

3rd plateform (underside) : 276 meters

- Total weight : 10, 100 tonnes

- Visitor numbers : more than 250 million visitors since opening in 1889

- 6, 917 million visitors in 2015

A LOOK AT THE PREVIOUS EDITIONS

2015 - 1st edition

In the men's race, the winner of the first edition was the absolute favorite and well-known tower running expert, Polish athlete Piotr Lobodzinski, in 07 minutes and 50 seconds, over Kiril Nikolov from Bulgary and Bernard Demateis from Italy. In the women's race, Australian athlete Susy Walsham came in fisrt with a time of 09 minutes and 44 seconds (current record for women). Behind her were Christel Dewalle from France and Francesca Rossi from Italy. 61 participants from 14 different countries gathered for this first edition.

Pre-registered runners : 338

2016 - 2nd edition

For the second edition, Piotr Lobodzinski repeated his 2015 athletic feat in 07 minutes and 48 seconds (breaking his own record). He won the race over Christian Riedl from Germany and Mark Bourne from Australia, both completing the podium of the 2016 men's edition. In the women's race, Suzy Walsham (09 minutes and 48 seconds) came in first for the second consecutive year, followeb by Dominika Wisniewska-Ulfik from Poland and Stéphanie Hucko from US. 100 participants from 15 different countries registered for this edition.

Pre-registered runners : 451 (+33%)

PROGRAM

- First start : 8:20pm

- Last arrival : 10:05pm

- Start : the Eiffel Tower's courtyard

- Finish : the Eiffel Tower's 3rd floor (summit)

- Difference in high : 1665 stairs - 279 metres (total climb)

- Participant numbers : 128

A WORD FROM THE ORGANIZER

"The objective of the Vertical is to make it a unique event while keeping the aspects that are specific to a standard vertical kilometer. In view of the landscapes of our country, it seemed pretty unrealistic to add a vertical kilometer to the other events, like many other trails did. But the Eiffel Tower Vertical made it possible, and gave the EcoTrail a one-of-a-kind event. Originally, I wrote the concept for the Eiffel Tower's 120th anniversary organized by the SETE (the Eiffel Tower Operating Company) in 2009. But for various reasons, the projet did not go through. Working alongside the SETE teams allowed us to launch the project again after the maintenance works of the tower's first floor were completed. The idea was to integrate this projet to the EcoTrail's program. An agreement was quickly achieved with the SETE as it is a win/win deal. To be honest, this crazy project was only made possible by the confidence between the SETE and the EcoTrail Organization. We are very proud of this achievement." (Jean-Charles PERRIN, CEO)

THE VERTICAL SEEN BY THE RUNNERS

"At the first check point, I could smile and give "high fives". On the second level I began to feel increasing exhausted, but this is not yet the pain. Only after the first half of the race begins the real struggle and suffering. Muscles begin to ache, lungs are burning, and the heart rate reaches the maximum." (Piotr LOBODZINSKI, Poland, Male Winner)

"From the second stage to the top it’s very very tough as there are many stairs in a row before you make a turn and I very quickly started suffering. The lactic in my legs was tough and it was a big struggle to keep climbing. I definitely had to push through the pain to continue." (Suzy WALSHAM, Australia, Female Winner)

A WORD FROM THE SETE, THE EIFFEL TOWER OPERATING COMPANY

“The Eiffel Tower Vertical is part of the major sports events that take place in this monument since their creation. The SETE is very proud that after only two years of existence, this extraordinary challenge became an unmissable event. For the Eiffel Tower, it is an achievement on the human, event organization and media coverage levels. Our objective for 2017 is to give the 3rd edition an even bigger international reach and a more participative approach to the visitors of our monument and to running enthusiasts. See you on the March 16th 2017 to discover the surprises that the SETE and the Paris EcoTrail Organization prepared.” (Anne Yannic, Executive Director at SETE)

About the Eiffel Tower Operating Company (SETE)

On January 1st, 2006, City of Paris gave the management of the Eiffel Tower for ten years to the SETE as a public service delegation. The SETE is a mixed enterprise which 60% of its capital is owned by City of Paris. It is chaired by Bernard Gaudillère, member of Paris city council, and managed by Anne Yannic. It employs 300 people. In 2015, it achieves a turnover of 81,8 millons €.

More information :

www.ecotrail-events.com