China World Tower: Runners race to top of skyscraper Athletes raced to the top of Beijing's tallest building on Saturday, for China's first-ever vertical run. Competitors climbed the 1,082ft (330m) China World Tower, conquering 82 floors and a total of 2,041 steps. Thomas Dold from Germany won the men's race, while Australia's Suzy Walsham, who said it was tougher than she expected. led the women's division.