From wave-jumping to parajumping and more, extreme sports are rising in popularity. Sometimes it seems the riskier the activity, the more people are willing to jump right in—often literally.
People have long climbed stairs. (Think walled cities, castle turrets, and giant cathedrals.) But somewhere along the line, stair climbing developed into an organized sport. Every year, extreme competitors around the globe bolt up the steps of some of the tallest buildings in the world. Some also race each other back down.
Stair climbing, sometimes called tower racing, is a grueling sport. It requires moving one’s entire body weight forward and then pulling it up. It involves strong muscles and efficient lungs—since racers are gasping for air almost from the get-go.
Many of the most popular races are held in famous locales: the Empire State Building in New York City, the Gran Hotel Bali in Spain (the tallest hotel in Europe), or the Niesenbahn Railroad stairway in Switzerland. World-class athletes regularly compete in such events.
Several stair-climbing events began as a way to honor fallen heroes from the terrorist attacks in New York City on September 11, 2001.
The Stairways to Heaven Vertical Race begins in the village of Piotta, Italy. The course follows a funicular (mountain railway) track up to the Piora mountain station. Runners in the Stairways to Heaven race scale 261 steps straight up the steepest staircase in Europe. (It’s a one kilometer altitude gain in just over one mile—or 1.6 kilometers—horizontal distance.) Most climbers must bend at the waist and grip the stair ahead of them. Race officials advise runners to view the course ahead of time and to wear a helmet—since a tumble backwards could be life threatening.
Despite the sport’s difficulties, stair-climbing competitors keep on rising. World stair-climbing records include the following amazing feats:
Christian Riedl—climbed a 55-story skyscraper in Frankfurt, Germany, 71 times in 12 hours (43,128 feet);
Kurt Hess—climbed Esterli Tower in Switzerland 413 times in less than 24 hours (60,974 feet).
The Bible has much to say about hard work and goals. Proverbs 13:19 says, “A desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul.” Climbers of stairs say summiting a building or tower is definitely pleasing. But, they add, gazing up at a building knowing “I conquered that” is even better.
