In just 10 min 49 sec, Soh Wai Ching, a Malaysian tower runner, manages to race to the 86th-floor observation deck. The Empire State Building Run-Up involves 1,576 steps. Around 200 runners from 24 countries took part in the event. This race is the world’s first and most famous tower race.
According to the organizer, tower-running sports athletes consider the ESBRU as the ultimate test of endurance. Turkish Airlines is one of the sponsors for the event.
Malaysian Soh Wai Ching won the men’s invitational while Cindy Harris from the U.S. won the women’s competition with 14 minutes. The winners even won open tickets by Turkish Airlines itself.
The Winter Soldier also posted about Soh on his Instagram stories. He is delighted and impressed with Soh’s achievement.
It is the most known and the oldest stair race of its kind. Participants race up 1,576 steps, nearly a quarter-mile, to the Observatory deck on the 86th floor. The race is by invitation only. The New York Runners Club selects a limited number of runners from all applicants. Participants include regular NYC residents as well as a selection of runners from other various popular races.
The race begins in the lobby as a mass start in two waves. Women start first with a five-minute head start before men. The altitude difference is 303m.
(Source: Astro Awani, Baruch College NY)