September 28, 2011

Double Amputee Runner here to Inspire Bitexco Vertical Run

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, 28th September 2011 - Australian Dwayne Fernandes will become the first double amputee to attempt the Bitexco Vertical Run, where runners will climb up a total of 1,002 steps to a height of 178 metres at the Bitexco Financial Tower, Ho Chi Minh City’s tallest building.

The 26 year old, whose legs were amputated due to a birth defect, conquered his first tower only three years ago, but has already climbed the Sydney Tower four times and has climbed the Empire State Building in New York City - both world renowned tower races. But Australia's blade runner extraordinaire rightly sees his Vietnam debut as one of the more difficult challenges of his running career to date.

But Australia's blade runner extraordinaire rightly sees his Vietnam debut as one of the more difficult challenges of his running career to date.

Discussing his hopes and fears for the event, Fernandes said: "Coming from the relatively cooler temperatures in Sydney, the heat and humidity in Ho Chi Minh City will certainly be a challenge."

He said he would be relying on the support from the other participants and spectators on race day to push him to the finish.

"I’ve heard the people in Vietnam are extremely positive and proactive in their support of people with disabilities," he said. I'm looking forward to experiencing that and to proving that somebody like me can climb the tallest building in Ho Chi Minh City.

“Once inside the staircase, you have no sense of how high you are or how long you have been in there - until you reach the top and the view just hits you! It’s quite an emotional and rewarding experience.” explained the Sydney-based runner.
His motto is "Life is for Living" - and the incredible Fernandes, who works as a Senior Insolvency Accountant, is keen to pursue that ethos.

Organisers are expecting a healthy turn out for the inaugural event with over 200 participants already registered.
“The response so far has been fantastic, with an even mix of both locals and foreigners having already signed up” said David Shin of organisers Sporting Republic.

Training Time for Vertical Runners

With just over one month left before the race, organisers have arranged free training sessions for runners who have already registered for the event, to be held on 16th and 23rd October at the Bitexco Financial Tower.

Each session will be split up into two groups - beginner and intermediate, which will help participants train safely for the race on 30th October. Certified fitness trainers from Star Fitness, a premium fitness centre, will lead clinic participants through stretching exercises and a warm up before some running drills inside the staircase of the tower.

Official Event Website: www.vietnamrun.com

Media Contact:
Sporting Republic
David Shin
Tel: +84 168 224 9305
E-mail: media@vietnamrun.com
Sporting Republic: http://www.sportingrepublic.com

Bitexco Group
Vo Ngoc Lien Huong
Tel: +84 90 888 9451
E-mail: huongvnl.info@bitexco.com.vn
Bitexco Group: http://www.bitexco.com.vn