Lausanne students race up Vortex tower

About 2,000 people took part in a mass uphill race inside the Vortex, the circular student residence on the University of Lausanne campus, with runners ascending the building’s continuous internal ramp that links all floors.

Organized by EPFL students, the event drew a wide mix of participants — university students, local amateurs and older entrants — who ran distances of roughly 7–8 km as they circled upward along the 2.8 km ramp. Competitors finished on the eighth floor while spectators lined balconies and windows, creating a loud, carnival‑like atmosphere that organizers and runners said amplified the challenge and excitement. Runners described the course as deceptively hard: the ramp’s 1% slope makes elevation gain hard to notice at first, but the spiral adds sustained effort and a distinct tactical element to pacing.

The Vortex is a distinctive ring‑shaped residential complex serving UNIL and EPFL students, containing nearly 1,000 housing units and about 2,400 m² of communal spaces including dining venues, cultural areas and workshops. The building measures 137 meters across, rises about 27 meters and features eight gradually ascending levels connected by the long spiral ramp. Completed in 2019 at a cost of 156 million Swiss francs, it briefly housed athletes for the Winter Youth Olympic Games and was later used as emergency accommodation for health workers during the COVID‑19 crisis before opening to students in 2020.

This race, first held in 2021 initially as a student event, has steadily opened to broader participation. Organizers timed runs and celebrated various achievements such as fastest overall time and best level splits, while offering a festive environment that combined sport with appreciation for the building’s architecture. Medical staff treated a small number of participants for fatigue or cramps but there were no major incidents.

Organizers said the event showcased both athletic endurance and the Vortex’s innovative modular design, and indicated plans to explore similar vertical races in other campus venues. Participants and spectators alike highlighted the unique sensory experience of running and cheering inside the spiraling interior, calling the race an original and memorable test of stamina and strategy.