World-class stair racer Thomas Dold broke the 20-year-old Swissôtel Vertical Marathon record of 6 mins 55 secs by 3 seconds, with his winning time of 6 mins 52 secs at the Swissôtel Vertical Marathon 2008.

Women's Open champion Suzanne Walsham will also be heading to New York with her winning time of 8 mins 20 secs at the race, improving on her 2007 race time by a whopping 12 seconds.

Mr Thomas Dold (Men's Open Winner) and Ms Suzanne Elizabeth Walsham (Women's Open Winner) got the opportunity to participate in the prestigious Empire State Building Run-Up 2009, which accepts participants based on invitation only.