HE the Minister of Justice, Hassan bin Abdullah al-Ghanem (centre) joins world champion Thomas Dold (right) and “Torch-Doha Hotel Staircase Run” second place-winner Omar Bekkali of Morocco.By Joey Aguilar /Staff ReporterThomas Dold of Germany won the second “Torch-Doha Hotel Staircase Run” yesterday, finishing with a time of 6 minutes and 32 seconds.Dold and other competitors went through the 1,034 stairs of the 51-floor hotel, known as the tallest building in Doha.“This one is really very challenging,” he said. “The race was really a tough one because you have to climb here more than 225m and 1,034 steps and there are not so many flat parts for you to recover.”Dold has won 45 of the 50 staircase races around the world and his first win was in 2006. He said this was his first time to visit and compete in the Middle East.Omar Bekkali, a Moroccan, came second finishing with a time of 6:52. Winning the third place was another foreigner, Rolf Majcen who finished with 7:12.Wearing his bib number 239, HE the Minister of Justice, Hasan bin Abdullah al-Ghanem, also joined the event and made it to the 51st floor. “This is a very good sport. If everybody would use the staircase in this building without using the elevator, it would be a very good exercise,” he said. Al-Ghanem disclosed that more enthusiasts from the community joined the unique sporting event this year. “We encourage them to participate every year so that more and more people will come,” he added.He also urged employees of the government and those who are working in private companies to use the stairs instead of the elevator. “You know we are always using the elevator, but it’s a good idea to use the staircase,” he said.Asked if he prepared for the staircase run, he quipped: “I hope I did. That’s why I am so tired.”Citing the annual celebration of the National Sport Day, the minister also stressed that Qatar has been promoting and supporting sports events and activities like the staircase run. For the women’s category, Elizabeth Cothran Isom from Qatar Academy won the first place finishing with a time of 9:25. Arnlaug Wangensteen of Aspetar was placed second with a time of 9:29 and Raimey Olthuis won the third place (10:03).For a first timer like Bart (a native of Belgium), the race is “purely entertaining.” “I visited a friend who lives and works here, I believe it’s difficult to do the staircase run, but I’m doing it to have a lasting memory of Qatar,” he said.Bart plays a lot of sports like football, running, cycling and tennis. “So I have a bit of condition. It’s exciting. My only goal now is getting to the top, that’s the main thing – to finish.”The event was organised by Aspire Logistics in partnership with the Torch-Doha Hotel.Some 240 participants, comprising athletes, enthusiasts, expatriate workers, marathoners, different professionals, journalists, and other nationalities had registered for the event.