Slovak Towerrunning Cup – stair running series
Slovak Towerrunning Cup
The Slovak stair running cup – a series of races in high-rise buildings and on outdoor staircases.
Rules
The Slovak Towerrunning Cup (STC) is the Slovak stair running cup – a series of races in high-rise buildings and on outdoor staircases. STC is open to everyone regardless of nationality: Slovak and international runners can race at every event. Only citizens of the Slovak Republic count towards the overall points standings.
Entry conditions
STC events are open to Slovak and international runners.
The minimum age is 16. Runners aged 16 and 17 may only start with the consent of a legal guardian. From 18 no consent is required.
Entry is subject to the registration conditions of each event.
Every participant must follow the race rules and the organiser's instructions.
Runners start at their own risk and must respect the safety rules.
Only citizens of the Slovak Republic count towards the overall STC standings.
Race rules
TWA rules. Races follow the rules of the Towerrunning World Association (TWA) and the rules of each event.
How to climb. Runners may run, walk or combine both. Using the handrail is allowed. Every participant must complete the whole course on their own.
No lifts. Using lifts or any other technical devices to cover part of the course is forbidden.
Timing. Electronic timing is used at all events. Timing starts when the runner starts and ends at the finish.
Official STC timing
Timing – RaceMeter. Accurate and objective timing at the events of the Slovak stair running cup (STC) is provided by the professional electronic timing system RaceMeter.
The system uses UHF RFID technology that identifies runners automatically by electronic chips. As RFID antennas transmit in a cone, they can pick up a chip several tens of centimetres before the finish line.
To eliminate this inaccuracy, the system is complemented by laser measurement which, combined with identifying the runner by RFID, determines the exact moment of crossing the finish line.
Results are recorded to 0.01 of a second (one hundredth of a second) and processed electronically straight away.
The system supports up to 8 RFID antennas and has a backup battery lasting about 4 to 6 hours, keeping the timing running even if the external power supply fails.
Staying on course. Runners must follow the marked course and the instructions of the organiser and marshals. Breaking the rules may lead to disqualification.
Overall STC standings
Each runner's four best points results of the season count towards the overall Slovak Towerrunning Cup (STC) standings. Points are awarded separately at every event – the first 20 men and women in the overall results score (regardless of age). Points count only for citizens of the Slovak Republic. The overall STC winners are the man and the woman with the highest total from their four best results.
Scoring
Points go to the 20 fastest men and women in the overall results (regardless of age). Points count only for Slovak citizens. No points are awarded from 21st place. Each runner's four best points results of the season count towards the overall standings.
Ties are broken by the following criteria, in this order:
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Placing at the final – the runner with the better result at the final ranks higher.
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Taking part in the final – if only one of the runners on equal points races the final, they rank higher overall regardless of the points scored at the final.
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Placing at the Slovak Championships – if neither runner races the final, the better placing at the Slovak Towerrunning Championships decides, if they took part.
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Alphabetical order – if none of the criteria above decides, the alphabetical order of surnames decides.
- 1. 1. place 20 b.
- 2. 2. place 19 b.
- 3. 3. place 18 b.
- 4. 4. place 17 b.
- 5. 5. place 16 b.
- 6. 6. place 15 b.
- 7. 7. place 14 b.
- 8. 8. place 13 b.
- 9. 9. place 12 b.
- 10. 10. place 11 b.
- 11. 11. place 10 b.
- 12. 12. place 9 b.
- 13. 13. place 8 b.
- 14. 14. place 7 b.
- 15. 15. place 6 b.
- 16. 16. place 5 b.
- 17. 17. place 4 b.
- 18. 18. place 3 b.
- 19. 19. place 2 b.
- 20. 20. place 1 b.
Categories
OPEN – Men
- 18–34
- 35–49
- 50+
- Overall winner
OPEN – Women
- 18–34
- 35–49
- 50+
- Overall winner
JUNIOR
Girls and boys under 15 compete separately in three age groups. Points count towards STC Junior.
- under 9
- 10–12
- 13–15
Men · Women
FIREFIGHTER
Firefighters in full turnout gear with a self-contained breathing apparatus. Men and women are ranked separately.
Gear and conditions
Each event also has an absolute ranking of men and women regardless of age group. STC points are awarded from this ranking.
PHZ – Police, firefighters, rescuers
The PHZ category is for members of the police, fire and rescue services who want to test their physical readiness and push their limits climbing stairs in their service gear and equipment.
As participants use different gear and equipment and no uniform rules for its use have been set yet, the PHZ category is not ranked separately. Its main aim is to promote the fitness, endurance and readiness of rescue and security services.
All PHZ participants get a 50% discount on the entry fee at Slovak Towerrunning Cup events.
New from the 2027 season
FIREFIGHTER category
From the 2027 season Towerrunning Slovakia introduces a separate FIREFIGHTER category. Competitors climb the course in full prescribed turnout gear with mandatory active use of a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).
Required gear
- Heavy turnout gear – turnout coat and trousers with liners.
- Firefighting boots.
- Firefighter helmet covering the ears, including neck protection and a full-face visor (the visor does not have to be lowered).
- Firefighting gloves.
- Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) with a face mask – mandatory active use during the race.
The required gear is based on the guidelines of the Fire and Rescue Service of the Slovak Republic.
Entry conditions
Every competitor must have completed:
- a medical check no older than 12 months,
- SCBA training on a training ground no older than 12 months.
When registering, competitors separately confirm that they meet the medical and training conditions. This declaration is separate from information and consents related to personal data protection (GDPR).
Ranking
- Overall ranking – men
- Overall ranking – women
There are no age groups.
In the 2027 season the Slovak Championship title in the FIREFIGHTER category and the overall Slovak Towerrunning Cup win in this category are awarded for the first time.
2027
STC calendar
STC Open 9 events
- 01 Details
- 02 Details
- 03 Details
- 04 Details
-
05
Details
29. 5. · Edition 4 · STC Junior finalOpen Junior
Horský Park Sprint · Bratislava- Floors
- —
- Elevation
- 38 m
- Steps
- 242
- 06 Details
-
07
Details
26. 6. · Edition 12 · SVK ChampsOpen
UFO Vertical Sprint · Bratislava- Floors
- 23
- Elevation
- 95 m
- Steps
- 430
- 08 Details
- 09 Details
STC Junior 5 events
- 01 Details
- 02 Details
- 03 Details
-
04
Details
8. 5. · Edition 6 · SVK Junior ChampsJunior
IUVENTA Sprint · Bratislava- Floors
- —
- Elevation
- —
- Steps
- approx. 100
-
05
Details
29. 5. · Edition 4 · STC Junior finalOpen Junior
Horský Park Sprint · Bratislava- Floors
- —
- Elevation
- 17 m
- Steps
- 115
STC Final 2027
Nivy Tower Run
· Bratislava
The final event closes the Slovak Towerrunning Cup season and decides the final standings of the Slovak cup.
Why take part?
The Slovak Towerrunning Cup brings together athletes who love pushing their own limits.
Every event has a different course, a unique atmosphere and a new challenge. Stair running tests speed, strength, endurance and determination.
But STC is not just about results. Above all, it is about the community, motivating each other and the joy of movement.
Join us and become part of Towerrunning Slovakia!
2024 –
History and winners
2026
Men
- 1 Marek Smetana
- 2 Pavel Stanko
- 3 Michal Nôta
Women
- 1 Kamila Hudecová
- 2 Anna Borošová
- 3 Emília Melová
2025
Men
- 1 Pavol Melo
- 2 Štefan Štefina
- 3 Tomáš Smolka
Women
- 1 Kamila Hudecová
- 2 Karin Ondrejčáková
- 3 Lucia Ďurišová
2024
Men
- 1 Štefan Štefina
- 2 Pavol Melo
- 3 Samuel Smolárik
Women
- 1 Kamila Hudecová
- 2 Andrea Stesňáková
- 3 Mirka Zobelová