Upward trend: Suzanne Walsham of Australia successfully defended her title at the Ha Noi vertical race, in which participants ran up 1,914 steps to a height of 350m. — VNS Photo Tien Thanh

HA NOI (VNS) — There were no surprises at the Ha Noi Vertical Run, one stage of the 2013 Vertical World Circuit, as reigning champions Thomas Dold and Suzanne Walsham brushed aside challengers to claim first place in the men's and women's professional categories.

Dold, a German runner competing in Ha Noi for the first time, sped up 1,914 steps to reach the 72nd floor (350m above the ground) in nine minutes and 14 seconds.

Mark Bourne of Australia followed 10sec later while last year's champion, Omar Bekkali of Belgium, completed his run in 10:36.00.

The win was the second consecutive victory for Dold, who previously took the crown at the Beijing Vertical Run.

"The race was really tough, so the win today is a good one for me," said Dold. "The win is also very important because it helped me finish very close to the top and thus boosts my chance to be the overall winner of the vertical world circuit."

In the women's category, Suzanne Walsham of Australia won for the second year in a row, completing the race in 10:51.

"The Ha Noi vertical run is one of the toughest races in the 2013 VWC," said Walsham, who ranked first in the VWC 2012 ranking.

Melissa Moon of New Zealand came in second, reaching the destination in 12:05. — VNS