Monday, May 10, 2010

 Fastest Vertical Run - world record set by Tony Berglund

  VASTERAS, Sweden -- Swedish Adventurer Tony Berglund sets a new World Record for the Fastest Vertical Run , as he ran the 100 Meters Down the Front of a Skyscraper in Västerås in 34.76 Seconds.

 Photo: Swedish Adventurer Tony Berglund sets a new World Record for the Fastest Vertical Run . Photo by timelapsetony/ Flickr ( enlarge photo )

   The World's Fastest Vertical Run involved running 100 meters down the front of a skyscraper in central Västerås, face down using a rope.

    "This is a once in a lifetime achievement. Especially because we had to postpone the attempt one day due to heavy winds. I was confident I could beat the record and everything worked out just as planned. I defeated the forces of nature and my own fears", Berglund said.

    In order to make the attempt possible the skyscraper had to be extended which made it the third highest skyscraper in Sweden for one day.

    A 20 meter high framed structure was temporarily built on top of the skyscraper and made it over 100 meters tall.

Tony Berglund also had to use a specially constructed carbon dioxide cooled rappelling device to prevent the rope from melting by the heat created by the high speed.

The previous Guinness world record for the Fastest Vertical Run was 36.25 seconds, held by Britain’s Steve Jones on the Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth, UK, on 16 March 2009.

   Rap Jumping/Vertical Run originates from an old military technique called rappelling. In the late 1960s the rappelling technique transformed into vertical run and was used to lower troops from helicopters as safely as possible into hot drop zones under heavy fire.
    The technique is currently used by both military and police during operations in order to forcibly enter buildings during combat or ongoing hostage situations. During the late 1980s a commercial operation was started in Australia where the technique was launched as a pure adventure experience.

Sponsors
   The chief sponsor was Mälarenergi Stadsnät and the other sponsors are Vestmanlands Läns Tidning, Exit US, Loopia,
Vigo Anderson, Mimer and ICA Supermarket Skrapan.

   The event was organized by Tony Berglund AB, Västerås & Co, Citygalleriorna, Västerås Citysamverkan, Fallskärmsklubben Aros, Västerås Klätterklubb, Frema, Nehrer Event,
Peak Experience, Remshagen Mediaproduktion, CHE-Produktion, Blue Sky AB, Mälardalens Brand- och Räddningsförbund,
Polisen Västmanland, Ambulanssjukvården Västmanland,
First Plaza Hotel, Västmanlands Lokaltrafik and Västerås Stad.

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