More than 1300 were up at the crack of dawn on Sunday, 8 February, to take part in the challenge of climbing 60 floors up the Republic Plaza situated at Raffles Place. Known as NTU National Vertical Marathon (or NTU's NVM), it is organised and conceptualised by the University's students from the NTU Sports Club. Mr Oon Jin Teik, Chief Executive Officer of Singapore Sports Council was Guest-of-Honour for the official flag-off at 7.30am. His presence was instrumental in NVM's objective to support the 2010 Youth Olympic Games where several mini sports games were available at the NVM carnival grounds. One of the annual event's most ardent fan is 83-year-old veteran who has participated for 11 years running. NVM 2009 also saw a 12-year-old male taking his first shot at the stair-climbing challenge. A new category aptly named Lovers' Challenge, was introduced this time that allowed couple participants to climb the storeys hand-in-hand as well.