To The Top: China World Summit Wing Hotel Vertical Run Set for August 3

Get ready to feel the burn. The city's fittest will race to the highest point in Beijing as part of the China World Summit Wing Hotel Vertical Run on August 3.

The race starts in the lobby, and covers the building's 330 meters of height, 82 floors, and *gasp* 2,041 stairs. The event is part of a series of races up eight landmark structures around the world, including the Empire State Building in New York, Taipei 101 in Taiwan, and Novo Edificio Abril in Brazil. Already 300 runners have signed up to participate.

Elite runners are eligible to win USD 1,000 in prize money for being first across the line. But the amateur prize is even better: three nights in a suite at Shangri-La's new hotel at The Shard in London – the tallest building in Western Europe – and roundtrip airfare, valued at RMB 170,000. Companies, families and clubs can form teams of four people. Here's the bad news – it's not a relay. All four runners would start together, and the official time for the team will be determined by the third runner finishing from each group.

"We wanted to do something for Beijing and the citizens of Beijing," said China World Summit Wing Hotel General Manager Thomas Schmitt-Glaeser, adding that the hotel specifically wanted to do something to promote greater health and well-being in Beijing. All proceeds from the race will be donated to charity.