Jumeirah Emirates Towers has hosted this year’s Vertical Marathon to raise funds for Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF).

The event saw 236 runners ascending Jumeirah Emirates Towers for the annual fundraising event, with participants raising a total of AED 177,000 for MSF. This brings the total amount raised for MSF through this popular event to AED 1.083 million to date.

The event, which is in its ninth year, was organised by Jumeirah Emirates Towers with the support of the Red Crescent Society.

The Vertical Marathon requires participants to climb the 52 floors of the Jumeirah Emirates Tower in Dubai, which has a total of 1334 steps. Anyone can take part, with children as young as two taking part in previous years. Participants are split into five groups; males under 18, females under 18, 18+ males, 18+ females and groups, which can contain three or four members. Participants are timed using computerised timing chips by Premier Timing.

Brazilian national Gustavo Ayres Netto ascended the 350 metre high Office Tower of Jumeirah Emirates Tower with a winning time of 8.49 minutes. The winning female was Jo Phillimore with a time of 11.57 minutes, and the winning team, Dubai American Academy, made it to the top in 10.59 minutes.

MSF is an international independent humanitarian medical organization that delivers emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, natural disasters and exclusion from health care without discrimination in more than 60 countries.

The event was sponsored by Move One Relocations, with Premier Timing, Puma, Swarovski and Acqua Panna all taking part as event support partners.