350 riders will compete to reach the roof of Benidorm in the XIV Vertical Ascent to Bali Hotel

The firefighter from Benidorm, Xomi Seguí, will climb the 924 steps fully equipped

This Saturday, May 13, starting at 5 pm, will be the 14th edition of the Vertical Rise to the Gran Hotel Bali. A competition that, for the third consecutive year, is part of the world circuit Towerrunning World Association. A extreme test where athletes struggle to reach the top of emblematic buildings such as the New York Empire Estate, Eiffel Tower, Taipei 101 Taiwan and others located in Canada, Austria, Germany, Poland, Australia, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Mexico and Brazil.

The Councilor for Sports, Ana Pellicer, presented this morning the event accompanied by the commercial director of Hotel Bali, Jerónimo Llinares, and the technical director of the test, Miquel Tortosa. About the race, Pellicer has said that "it is a challenge of 52 floors, 924 steps and 190 meters of unevenness" for the participants who will be taking the scheduled exit that this time will be, in individual category every 15 seconds and elite category, each minute.

Today, among the registered runners are "30 world-class athletes," said Pellicer, "and the top eight in the men's world ranking." The Ascent to Bali is the only test of these characteristics that is celebrated in a skyscraper in Spain and is "the oldest in Europe!". Pellicer has made it clear that "it is a real satisfaction" and a "luxury" for Benidorm that this new edition is celebrated because "for everybody it is important" to boost tourism and the sporting offer of the city.

Fully equipped firefighters

Jerónimo Llinares thanked the City Council's support in organizing a test that "every year goes more" and demonstrates the "strong bet" for the sport of the city of Benidorm and the Bali Group. For his part, Miquel Tortosa has made a special reference to firefighters who, one more year, will compete for being the first to reach the top of the hotel. "There are four German firefighters who are going to be fully equipped", and also the one in the Baixa and Benimarense Marina Park Xomi Seguí, "a classic of this test", with the whole team, and the alteano Ángel López Amor. Also attending professionals of fire parks of Valencia and Madrid.

The organization expects that in this edition the 350 registered athletes will be reached for the first time (maximum number, according to the rules of the competition). Entries can be made through the portals www.subidagranhotelbali.com and www.cronorunner.com. The challenge of the current edition will be to beat the record of rise that was established last year by the German Christian Riel in 4 minutes and 20 seconds. In this regard, Miquel Tortosa believes it will be difficult to beat the mark in the men's category, although there are options in the women's and has expressly quoted the Czech Lenka Švábíková (winner of the 2015 edition).