In 1978, the first annual Empire State Building Run-Up was inaugurated with the help of the New York Road Runners Club. The race took place up the 1,575 steps from the [V 004 / lobby] to the finish line on the 86th floor. (There are another 285 to the 102nd floor for a total of 1,860). In an effort to prevent competitors from having heart attacks, the event was open only to those who had competed in an ultramarathon (31 miles).
The winner of the first Run-Up for men was [L3 226 / Gary Muhrcke], with a time of 12:32.7. The women's race was won by March Schwamm, with a time of 16:03.2. This was one race, however, where everybody - including the winner - was a runner-up.
