Jersey Shore locals climb to the top of the Empire State Building

Sally Kalksma of Pine Beach, N.J. who was running for Team Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) in a time of 19:02.  Sally was all over the New York City television talk shows on Wednesday and was slated to be on the NBC Today show on Thursday showing off her finisher’s medal which all the participants received after reaching the top.  Sally had a gang of supporters at the event to greet her at the finish party hosted by the Foundation.  Sally is afflicted by the disease but demonstrated the courage to compete the event in a very respectable time.Don Griffen of Belmar a local top runner and triathlete finished in 14:33 a bit slower than his time three years ago of 14:11.  Don remarked after the race, ”Had I known I was that close to my personal record I would have pushed a little harder the last 20 flights”.  He said he was crowded out the first 20 flights or so due to congestion in the stair wells where he was forced to pass other climbers. Don is now looking forward to the 2013 triathlon season.Peggy Schaab of Avon and a nurse at Jersey Shore University Medical Center was participating in her fourth run up the Empire State Building.  She was raising money for a coworker who has been devastated as a result of a bout with cancer.  She was not concerned with her time after the run she remarked, “It was easier than I thought since I did not do that much training this time around.” Here she is pictured before the run up outside the building.Peggy finished in 19 minutes and 38 seconds.View the list »
Kelly Ripa was taking photos before running up the Empire State Building

Endurance Sports newsletter

The 36th Annual Empire State Building Run Up took place on February 6, 2013.

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Climbers started to line up for the start of the event in the evening at 8:30 p.m. on the second floor of the famous building. From there they were led to the stair well on the first floor where they waited for the start.

Going up first were the elite participants from all over the world. They were followed by nearly a thousand others in the open category in time trial fashion with one leaving every 6 seconds.

The final group of participants left around 9:30 p.m.

Complete Results

Both the men’s and women’s winners were from Australia. For the men it was Mark Bourne who finished the climbing of the 86 flights in 10 minutes and 12 seconds. Well off the record of 9:33. Last year’s winner Thomas Dold of Germany was expected to compete but unfortunately fell ill the day before the race and was forced to observe on the sidelines.

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For the women it was Suzy Walshman who climber the 1,576 stairs to the 86th floor observation deck in 12 minutes and 5 seconds.

Television talk show host Kelly Ripa was among the many personalities who participated in the event. Kelly could be found on the second floor waiting area greeting the other participants and taking personal photos with her camera. Her co-host Michael Strahan the former NY Football Giant did not participate. Kelly was wearing a t-shirt with the “Kelly and Michael Show” on the front. Kelly finished in a respectabe 18 minutes and 16 seconds.

Check out the local finishers on he following list.

View the list
  • Peggy Schaab of Avon and a nurse at Jersey Shore University Medical Center was participating in her fourth run up the Empire State Building.  She was raising money for a coworker who has been devastated as a result of a bout with cancer.  She was not concerned with her time after the run she remarked, “It was easier than I thought since I did not do that much training this time around.” Here she is pictured before the run up outside the building.Peggy finished in 19 minutes and 38 seconds.
  • Don Griffen of Belmar a local top runner and triathlete finished in 14:33 a bit slower than his time three years ago of 14:11.  Don remarked after the race, ”Had I known I was that close to my personal record I would have pushed a little harder the last 20 flights”.  He said he was crowded out the first 20 flights or so due to congestion in the stair wells where he was forced to pass other climbers. Don is now looking forward to the 2013 triathlon season.
  • Sally Kalksma of Pine Beach, N.J. who was running for Team Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) in a time of 19:02.  Sally was all over the New York City television talk shows on Wednesday and was slated to be on the NBC Today show on Thursday showing off her finisher’s medal which all the participants received after reaching the top.  Sally had a gang of supporters at the event to greet her at the finish party hosted by the Foundation.  Sally is afflicted by the disease but demonstrated the courage to compete the event in a very respectable time.
  • The Empire State Building was lit uop in Orange in honor of the colors of the MMRF which was the prime beneficiary of the run up. Over 700 people from around the world participated in the race to raise money for research on the disease. The event was staged by the New York Road Runners Club.
View the list
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, Jersey Shore Running Examiner

Bob Both has been involved in running at the Jersey Shore for over 20 years. He is an active participant in road races of all distances including marathons and triathalons. He is a Past President of the Jersey Shore Running Club, past Editor of the Club's Newsletter and currently maintains the...

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