IN SHORT
Vertical Step Marathon is the most spectacular, long-lasting and biggest indoor climbing competition in Romania. It’s the event that marked the opening of our climbing gym in 2009 – a vertical marathon held over the course of 2 days, where athletes give their best, pushing their vertical limits!
It is a competition that combines the two disciplines of climbing: lead climbing and bouldering, in an innovative format, which requires a high level of commitment and sports involvement, intended for all categories of climbers – from the least experienced to top athletes.
AT VERTICAL STEP MARATHON WE INSPIRE PASSION AND EXCEED LIMITS!
The Marathon transcends being merely a competition with its inherent limitations; it is a celebration of both small and significant personal victories, a testament to the courage and bravery within each participant. Every year, climbers discover reservoirs of strength they were unaware of, surpassing their perceived limits. It serves as an opportunity for self-discovery, a challenge for personal evolution, and a moment to establish new standards for our climbing aspirations.
The Marathon is also about community; it serves as the traditional gathering spot for climbers from all corners of the country and beyond. It’s a valuable opportunity for learning and forging new friendships, a time to meet and socialize, and a source of joy and mutual support!
Last but not least, the Marathon is about evolution! The Vertical Spirit team has grown through this identity-defining event, evolving in our approach, developing in climbing skills, and relishing the journeys of each climber who pushed their limits and gained experience, confidence, courage, and even secured a place on the podium.
WHAT WE ARE PREPARING FOR THIS YEAR’S EDITION
Every year we came up with something new at Marathon – an extension of the climbing walls, new climbing holds, a different approach, the modernization of the gym facilities. Each year marks a step in our growth. We evolve a bit more, continuously pushing the boundaries of what we can offer and achieve.
This year our focus is on the quality of the organization. We want you to have a truly memorable experience at this contest. Don’t miss anything. Let all the little details be an important part of a WAW event! We will also place special emphasis on the quality of the routesetting.
We already have an impressive stock of new climbing holds and the main routesetter is an experienced climber and routesetter, a dedicated and super organized person – “a Machine”!!
DO YOU WANT TO SIGN UP FOR THE COMPETITION?
You are welcome and we even ask you to invite your climbing partner, the gang you go bouldering with, climbing friends from other cities or athletes who inspire you and with whom you would like to train and motivate yourself at the competition!
The Vertical Step Marathon is mainly aimed for climbers in the 16+ age category, regardless of their level, but we also accept the participation of juniors with a minimum age of 12 (over), in order to gain experience.
To choose the right category and series, please read carefully the details below and especially all the additional mentions on the REGISTRATION page!
CATEGORIES
- Rookie women / Rookie men – amateur climbers of basic level, who generally climb up to grade 6c (lead climbing routes, after work), having a minimum age of 16 years.
- Open women / Open men – intermediate and advanced climbers, who frequently climb above grade 6c (climbing routes, at work), with a minimum age of 16 years. Participants between the ages of 12 and 15 who consider they have the appropriate level, can register and participate in the OPEN category and will abide by the rules of this category – with the mention that only competitors who have 16 years old can enter the Finals.
- Juniors – participants between 12 and 15 years old, who want to participate in the competition with the aim of gaining experience on the same routes and in the same time slot intended for the ROOKIE category. Participants in this category must be 12 years old at the time of the event, and less than 16 years old.
Registration in any of these categories is a personal choice, but the organizers reserve the right to reject the registration of participants in a specific category if it is evident that the conditions outlined in the previous paragraphs are not adhered to.
MAXIMUM NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS – 140
To organize a quality event and for each of you to have a memorable experience, the maximum number of participants is limited to 140.
SERIES
Participants from all categories will be divided into 2 mixed series – women and men. Each series will be allocated a maximum number of 35 places. To avoid overcrowding in the slot allocated to a particular series, we reserve the right to moderate entries so that there is a balanced distribution of participants across all series.
- Series 1 Rookie/Juniors & Series 1 Open – these categories perform simultaneously. Juniors constitute a distinct category but will compete simultaneously on the same routes designated for the Rookie category. Series 1 is scheduled for the initial time slot in the morning on both competition days.
- Series 2 Rookie/Juniors & Series 2 Open – these categories perform simultaneously. Juniors constitute a distinct category but will compete simultaneously on the same routes designated for the Rookie category. Series 2 will have the second time slot allocated during the afternoon on both days of the competition.
Rookie and Junior will compete in lead climbing on day 1 and bouldering on day 2.
Open will compete in bouldering on day 1 and lead climbing on day 2.
WHAT OUR PARTICIPANTS SAY
Vertical Step Marathon has fascinated me since the first edition. The atmosphere, the seriousness with which it was organized, its challenges and especially the spectacular Finals. I felt the best and participated with great love. It seems to me the supreme competition of all that exists in Romania. The fact that you have 2 disciplines makes it even more challenging and interesting. As a conclusion, for me the Vertical Step Marathon meant a vertical Marathon!Crina Ochenatu
Bucharest
Vertical Step Marathon is the coolest and most complex indoor climbing event in Romania, which challenged my limits every time and where I met many beautiful people with the same passion. See you!Delia Liscan
Cluj
The Vertical Step Marathon and the stillness of the rock are at opposite ends of the climbing spectrum creating the necessary contrast that completes me. The competition is pure madness, in the most positive sense: the atmosphere, the vibe, the friends, the routes, the music, the energy transmitted by Oli, the Final in the spotlight, the quality of the organization and the scale of the whole event... a healthy show and party almost at the end of the year where I'm sure many, like me, associate it with a grand finale. I cannot wait!Matyas Luzan
Timișoara
PRIZES
The marathon is a competition that demands a high level of commitment and sports involvement, pushing you to bring out the best in yourself, motivating you to surpass limits you never thought possible! And we aim to reward you in proportion to this bold effort!
COME AND GIVE US A HELPING HAND
The marathon is a great mobilization of forces, and we aimed for the organization to have an exceptional quality and the experience of each participant to be a memorable one. For this we need a large team, made up of cool and enthusiastic people, willing to lend a helping hand. Are you an energetic person with a spirit of initiative? Do you like to get involved and want to be part of the team of the largest and longest indoor climbing competition in Romania?
