Record numbers make 1081-step dash up Sky Tower

By JO-MARIE BROWN

Three weeks after giving birth, most mothers would not dream of pounding their way up 1081 stairs.

But Maree Bunce of Parnell could not resist defending the women's Sky Tower Vertical Challenge title on Saturday, having won it in the previous three years.

"This was the first run I've had since I was four months pregnant," she said, after this year finishing last in the elite women's class. Her time was 10m 8s. "I still won, just at the wrong end," said the mother of newborn son Ryan.

NZ marathon and 10,000m champ Melissa Moon took the women's title instead, slicing six seconds off the previous record by finishing in 6m 57s.

World mountain running champion Jonathan Wyatt of Wellington successfully defended his elite men's title, winning in 5m 27s.

The fourth annual sweaty ascent of 53 flights of stairs was completed by a record number of competitors this year, including Prime Minister Helen Clark, who reached the lower observation tower in 21m 48s.

Wave after wave of runners sprinted into the Sky Tower's stairwell, including a group of firemen from Henderson and Parnell who described themselves as being "slightly insane."

Running gear was bypassed in favour of full firefighting uniforms and 30kg air tanks.

Benjamin Basevi said the thermally insulated jackets and pants guarded against flames but consequently trapped body heat. "It was pretty daunting just thinking about it but I didn't realise how uncomfortable it would be until I started."