A vertical marathon is held in Xiamen's Jimei district, East China's Fujian province, on April 20. Each runner starts separately at intervals of 10-15 seconds. [Photo/fjsen.com]

A vertical marathon took place in the 262-meter-high Chengyi International Business Center in Xiamen's Jimei district, East China's Fujian province, on April 20.

The race, organized by the publicity department of Jimei, the Jimei New Town development and construction office, and Xiamen Daily, offered up an unprecedented experience for sports lovers.

A total of 500 runners and more than 120 volunteers, medical workers and security members participated in the event.

Xue Jiandong, winner of the men's race, reached the top of the 54-floor building in 0:08:37, while Wu Meixia took first in the women's race with a time of 00:10:12.

A vertical marathon is a marathon in which participants race to the top of a skyscraper. It originated in the United States in 1978. Today, millions of people in more than 90 countries and regions take part every year.

Contestants show off their certificates after the vertical marathon. [Photo/fjsen.com]