WFGT Towerrunning Challenge 2026: the 48th edition of the famous Empire State Building Run-Up!

October 13, 2026

The seventh stop of the WFGT Towerrunning Challenge 2026 took place on October 6 at New York City’s Empire State Building, as athletes competed in the 48th edition of the famous Empire State Building Run-Up.

The course challenged runners to climb 1,576 stairs across 86 floors to reach the building’s 86th-floor Observation Deck, testing their endurance, strength and pacing.

Elite Race Results

Men’s Elite — Top 3

1. Ryoji Watanabe (Japan) — 11:18
2. Wai Ching Soh (Malaysia) — 11:27
3. Sproule Love (USA) — 12:32

Ryoji Watanabe from Japan took first place in the Men’s Elite heat with a time of 11:18. Wai Ching Soh from Malaysia finished second, as Watanabe edged out Soh from Malaysia by just nine seconds in a close contest at the front of the men’s field. The two athletes have repeatedly challenged each other throughout the season, pushing each other to the limit. Sproule Love from the United States completed the podium in third place.

Women’s Elite — Top 3

1. Annemarie Wilhelm (Austria) — 13:32
2. Yuko Tateishi (Japan) — 13:45
3. Anna Carlson (USA) — 14:07

In the Women’s Elite heat, Annemarie Wilhelm from Austria claimed first place with a time of 13:32, finishing 13 seconds ahead of Yuko Tateishi from Japan who finished second. Anna Carlson from the United States took third place to complete the podium.

Congratulations to all athletes on their podium finishes at one of the most iconic events on the international towerrunning calendar!

A Landmark in Towerrunning

The Empire State Building Run-Up is more than a race against the stairs. First held in 1978, it has become one of the most established events in vertical racing, with a history of remarkable performances and record-breaking athletes.

The 2026 edition, which was also the seventh race in the WFGT Towerrunning Challenge 2026, welcomed more than 200 runners from around the world, with participants representing over 15 countries. Each faced the same challenge: 1,576 stairs, 86 floors and a finish line on the building’s iconic 86th-floor Observation Deck.

The course records remain formidable benchmarks. Australia’s Paul Crake holds the men’s record of 9:33, set in 2003, while Austria’s Andrea Mayr set the women’s record of 11:23 in 2006. Both times remain faster than the winning times recorded in this year’s elite races.

The event has also seen extraordinary consistency from its champions. Germany’s Thomas Dold holds the record for the most men’s invitational victories, with seven wins between 2006 and 2011. Australia’s Suzy Walsham leads the women’s list with ten victories, achieved between 2007 and 2019.

With another edition completed, the Empire State Building Run-Up continues to bring together international athletes at one of the most recognizable venues in the sport. For the WFGT Towerrunning Challenge 2026, it marked the seventh stop of the season, adding another chapter to the series’ global competition.

Next Stop: Willis Tower, Chicago

The WFGT Towerrunning Challenge continues on November 8 at Willis Tower in Chicago, home to the observation deck Skydeck Chicago. After the demanding climb in New York, athletes will face another vertical challenge as the series moves on.

Congratulations to Ryoji Watanabe, Annemarie Wilhelm and all the competitors who took on the WFGT Towerrunning Challenge 2026!

Stairs up! 🗼🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

World Federation of Great Towers

WFGT was founded in 1989 as a not-for-profit organization and showcases the great towers of the world, which have become symbols of their cities.