The top three winners of the men's elite group competition during a vertical run at the Shanghai International Financial Center. [Photo/verticalworldcircuit.com]

More than 1,700 participants from 25 countries recently competed to race to the top of the Shanghai International Financial Center.

Four categories of competitions were on offer respectively for elite runners, group runners, individuals, and people who just wanted to experience the vertical run, catering to people of all ages.

The participants were required to climb up 1,460 stairs to the 57th floor of the building.

The Shanghai event, held for seven consecutive years, formed part of the Vertical World Circuit, with other stops including Seoul, Paris, New York, Manila, London, Beijing, and Osaka this year.

It attracted 22 of the world's top vertical runners to take part in its elite competition. Poland's Piotr Lobodzinski won the first prize of the men's elite group with a time of 7 minutes 43 seconds, and Suzy Walsham from Australia took the gold of the women's group with a time of 9 minutes 14 seconds.

Charity has always played a big part in the event. This year, the organizers will donate all the registration fees, sponsorship fees and revenue of a charity bazaar to the Shanghai Children's Health Foundation to help children whose families have financial difficulties to get medical treatment. By the end of 2017, the event had raised charity funds of over 32 million yuan ($4.6 million).