Verticale Espacité

Verticale Espacité sends runners up the Espacité tower in La Chaux-de-Fonds after dark. It is a short stair-climb race: 230 steps, 14 floors, and one goal, to reach the top as fast as possible. Runners start one at a time at regular intervals, so the qualification run works like an individual time trial rather than a pack race. The race is open to the public, but entries are limited, with only 90 bibs available. Competitors choose a time slot for their qualification run, and the top five women and top five men race again in finals to decide the winners. The city sports department organizes the event, live results are shown, and Espacité square has a refreshment stand for runners and spectators watching the night unfold.