By Leicester Mercury | Posted 6 March, 2016
Dozens of charity runners raced up hundreds of stairs to the top of a famous Leicester landmark in aid of LOROS Hospice.
Fundraisers climbed 351 steps to the top floor of Leicester's Blue Tower, in St George's Way, today.
Once participants had scaled all 20 floors, they were able to enjoy the view from the top floor of the city's tallest occupied building.
An organisation called the UK Tower Running Championship Series came to Leicester for the first time to hold the St George's Tower Run, after being invited by LOROS.
Although 20 floors will sound daunting to many, this was the shortest course in the series ever raced in the UK.
People either paid £30 to take part, or could enter for free if they had raised more than £50 in sponsorship.
Download the results here
You can view a video of the run here
To view lots more photographs from the Leicester Mercury click here
Times achieved by the runners ranged from 01.35 minutes to a more stately five minutes plus.
Steve Bates, 41, of Syston, completed the climb in 2.08 minutes.
He said: "It was really hard. It's not something that's easy to practice for either.
"Now I just want to go and collapse somewhere - and then do it again! It's been fun."
Steve said he had raised £195 in sponsorship for LOROS, in Groby Road, Leicester.
Marie Collins, head teacher of Willowbrook Primary, in Thurnby Lodge, took on the challenge along with her colleague Jane Mayes, an office manager at the school.
Marie, 40, of Rothley, said: "It's been great fun. I have not done anything like it before.
"I have done lots of running and races, but this is one of the hardest I have done.
"It's hard to train for - apart from running up and down the stairs at work!
"There's good team spirit, a great atmosphere and it's all for a good cause."
Jane, 36, of Syston, said: "It was short, but hard work.
"From about half way up it was tougher than I thought it would be."
But she added that it was worth it for the view at the top of the tower.
Manjit Takhar, 35, of Thurmaston, took part in the run despite having played a match the day before for Leicestershire & Rutland Inclusive (Disability) Football Club.
He said: "I loved it. It was really challenging, but amazing.
"It was in the back of my mind that we were doing it to help terminally ill patients."
Leicester City Council worker Graeme Hall, 28, of Stoneygate, Leicester, said his colleagues had persuaded him to take part.
"I don't even run - I'm a cyclist and hockey player," said Graeme, who raised just under £100 for LOROS.
Fund-raising Co-ordinator, Andrew Ward said: "Stair running is a relatively new concept in the UK, and I'm delighted that we have been able to partner up with the championships and provide an exciting new challenge both for local beginners as well as the pros."
Samantha Fisher's first person account of the run:
I went along to the Blue Tower this morning to report on the run, with absolutely no intention of taking part myself.
I was dressed in smart trousers and my black work ankle boots, which have small heels. I had no trainers or sports gear.
However, after being quizzed by event staff and my photographer colleague Will Johnston about taking part, I was persuaded to do the tower run.
I grabbed a number and a time slot (runners were starting every two minutes), and took my position at the start line. I only had to wait a few minutes before I was off.
It started off well, and I was enjoying running up the steps.
Until I got to floor three.
At this point, I was panting and wheezing and, I imagine, bright red in the face too.
From there I decided fast(ish) walking was the best option. Later, when I thought I must be almost there, I realised I was only at floor nine.
Luckily there were event staff and Will on different floors cheering me on.
Eventually, I made it to the top, out of breath and unable to speak, with a time of 3.51 minutes.
I was pretty pleased with that, especially in heels!
