Conquering Chongqing's Sky: Thrills of Vertical Marathon in the Thousand-Step Realm

Over 400 participants stood at the starting line of Raffles City Chongqing as morning mist lingered over the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers. They prepared for an unconventional challenge: climbing 1,178 steps across 42 floors to reach the summit of a horizontal skyscraper, a magnificent landmark in the heart of Chongqing.

This is the Raffles City Chongqing Vertical Challenge 2025, a vertical marathon transforming an iconic building into a skyward racing arena.

"This is my first vertical marathon, and it feels completely different from running on flat ground," said participant Li Xiaotong.

"The event simultaneously tests our cardiovascular endurance, explosive power, and determination."

Greeting the City from the Sky

On every conquered floor, Chongqing's cityscape began to unfold. Mist-shrouded valleys, winding river flows, and rows of towering buildings.

The runners weren't just challenging their bodies; they were savoring the experience of seeing the city from a unique perspective.

"Vertical challenges not only strengthen the body but also allow me to view Chongqing's urban landscape from a fresh angle," said Zheng Chang from Xi'an.

For some, vertical marathons might sound extreme. But in Chongqing, a city dubbed the City of Mountains, conquering heights is already part of the lifestyle.

From the Tallest Building to the Deepest Station

After Raffles City, another vertical adventure awaited at Hongyancun Station, China's deepest subway station and the world's second deepest.

This is where the Hongyancun Vertical Marathon takes place. Participants are tested as they conquer 860 steps, climbing 141 meters from the depths of the earth to the surface – equivalent to scaling a 39-story skyscraper.

Interestingly, the station, usually bustling with passengers, transforms into an open competition track for the public. By simply scanning a QR code, anyone can attempt the same route.

"Running in a vertical marathon inside a subway station helps me understand Chongqing better and feel the rhythm of life in this city," said Kira, an international student at Chongqing University.

Where Nature and Sport Converge

Events like vertical marathons are just a fraction of Chongqing's efforts to integrate sports and tourism.

This mountainous city leverages its extreme landscapes to create challenging "active tourism," from high-rise building climbs and station stair races to valley and river trail running.

One of the most popular is the Yangtze River Three Gorges (Wushan) Ultra Trail 2025. Around 3,500 runners gathered in the Wushan area, traversing the Three Gorges Backbone with routes of 60 km, 25 km, and 5 km, and a total elevation gain reaching 3,400 meters.

"Rather than rushing through the run, I savored the journey more," said Wu Yalan from Chengdu.

"The gorges, autumn foliage, and urban backdrop created stunning layers of visual beauty."

Beyond competition, such events act as tourism magnets. Held concurrently with the autumn foliage festival, the Wushan Ultra Trail attracts nearly 20,000 runners worldwide annually.

New Tourism in a Vertical City

Official data shows that from 2021 to 2025, per capita sports consumption in Chongqing grew by an average of 21.6 percent annually.

In just the first three quarters of this year, the city hosted 978 sports events, attracting 2.16 million participants and 340 million spectators, generating over 12.4 billion yuan in sports tourism consumption.

Blending mountain panoramas, futuristic architecture, and the spirit of its people, Chongqing has become a unique destination where sports are not just an activity but a way to enjoy life from varying heights.(Antara)