The 10th anniversary edition of Suunto World Vertical Week runs until 24 March. All kinds of athletes and outdoor enthusiasts are taking part in the event. From trial runners, skiers to climbers, cyclists to adventurers and hikers. The aim of the competition is to determine which country and type of activity will win, boasting the greatest increase in altitude.
Suunto Vertical Week is an annual initiative organised by the brand since 2016 , regardless of where you live. This year's edition takes place from 18 to 24 March. Its main aim is to monitor the kilometres and elevation covered across the country and add them up. Therefore, whatever your preference, runners, mountain hikers and skydiving fans alike can take part in the event.
Vertical Week is also a chance to compete for the title of the most fit country, where you can pit yourself against others and see who gains the greatest altitude advantage. As every year, at the end of the event, all participants' scores will be added up to find out which country achieved the highest elevation and which sport was the most popular. Last year, 153,000 Suunto watch users took part in the event. Skitouring proved to be the most popular sport, followed by mountain climbing and cross-country running. The highest elevation gain among countries was achieved by Austria, followed by Italy and Slovakia.
During the event, participants can track their progress in overclimbing in the new SuuntoPlus Vertical Week sports apps. The first is Vertical Week, which counts every metre climbed and shows the total altitude for both the current activity and the entire week. The second app is SuuntoPlus Vertical Race, which allows the runner to track vertical running pace. The app shows in a single view how far the participant is from the finish line, as well as whether they are below or above their average pace. The results of the competition at Suunto Vertical Week 2024 will be published on 29 March.