This is the toughest race in terms of effort over time, I have ever done. Starting at the base of the Sydney observation tower, you run a mere 50m before hitting the first of 1513 steps that take you up to the top of the tower and the finish, some 250m above the ground. It was an eight minute, 39seconds max-out effort that hurt!

The start line is a mere 20m before the single-door entrance into the tower building so a good start position was crucial as passing people up the stairwell is difficult. After a bit of bumping and pushing I was through the door in third place and hot on the heels of the two leaders. The front guy absolutely flew up the opening stairs and got a gap on the rest of us, however just a few minutes in and along a short flat section, the guy was done and I moved on up to joint second.

I held back a little and right on the heels of the leader but he too soon showed signs of fading and I forced myself passed to take the lead. The effort got me a gap on the guys behind me and I powered on up. I was now no longer running up the stairs but powering up two-stepping it but I was out of sight of those following now.

Eventually the signs giving the countdown of stairwells to go appeared and I gave it my all to ensure I got the win and the $750 paycheck that goes with winning your age group! I should have taken my Heart rate monitor as I think I was hitting new heights in max HR! Crossing the line, my legs were shaking and it felt like my heart was in my mouth! That was tough but probably the quickest $750 I will ever make!

Laters,

Simon