The Vertical World Circuit Champion Melissa Moon from New Zealand will participate in the first skyscraper running competition in Vietnam , the Bitexco Vertical Run (BVR).

The race will take place at the tallest building in Ho Chi Minh City , Bitexco Financial Tower on October 30.

According to the Bitexco Group, the race is a trial race for the 2011 V ertical World Circuit (VWC), aiming to determine a new champion.

David Shin, Director of the Sporting Republic Company, which will host BVR said that Melissa’s presence is an encouragement for the race . She was the winner at the Empire State Building Run-Up in New York last year and became the champion of VWC 2010.

At the Bitexco Vertical Run, domestic and foreign runners will face the challenge of running up a total 1,002 steps to a height of 178 metres.

They will start at the tower’s ground floor lobby and finish at the tower’s observation deck on the 49 th floor, where participants will be able to enjoy the views of Ho Chi Minh City’s skyline and the Saigon River./.