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A contestant runs past Thomas Dold, right, of Germany, as he gives the thumbs up to photographers after winning the men's division of the Empire State Building Run-Up. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
While we were sipping lattes in the elevator ride to our fifth floor office this morning, thousands of over-achievers were making us look like pathetic sedentary blobs by racing up all 86 flights of the Empire State Building. Hundreds of fitness buffs from 17 different countries competed in the 32nd annual "Run-up," climbing a vertical distance of 1,050 feet and ascending over 1,500 steps. For the third-straight year, the women's winner was Suzanne Walsham of Singapore, with a time of 13 minutes and 26 seconds.
And for the fourth straight year, the mens' winner was German Übermensch Thomas Dold, who rose to the top in 10 minutes and six seconds. He tells NY1, "It's really cool to show the people what I train for." But all that training still wasn't good enough to beat the world record set by an Australian runner in 2003, which schools Dold by 33 seconds. And to make us feel even more listless, one of the oldest climbers, 71-year-old Kumi Horiuchi, talked with the Rocky Mountain News about her fitness regimen.
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Pushing grocery carts over the bridge just wasn't enough.
I get winded going up 6 flights in my office. Granted I work in an old building with like 15-18 foot floor heights.
Are the runners staggered. Or is it a free-for-all when someone says "Go"?
Michael Phelps was at the top waiting to hand the winner a bong.
Is THAT why there were all those ambulances parked at the 33rd street side this morning. Hmm. Nice day for an indoor run.
Well, if you're really feeling lazy you could walk up to the top of Rockefeller Center for charity! The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is doing a fundraiser. More info at http://www.nationalmssociety.org/chapters/climb-to-the-top/index.aspx
I love exercise. I can watch it all day on TV.
Is Susan Walsham from Australia or Singapore? The text of the post says Singapore but the caption on the photo of her crossing the finish line says Australia.
10 minutes. Damn! I could make it to the top. If you give me an hour and have an oxygen tank waiting for me at the finish.
After 9/11 you'd think the race would be down the stairs.