“America’s Favorite Building” :The Empre State Building | Photo by Troi Santos
NEW YORK – Under the night sky of Manhattan, more than 200 runners from around the world climbed 1,576 steps to the 86th-floor Observatory of the Empire State Building. The 47th annual Empire State Building Run-Up, presented by NYU Langone Health and powered by the Challenged Athletes Foundation, once again tested endurance inside New York City’s most iconic landmark.
Tony Malkin, chairman and chief executive officer of Empire State Realty Trust, described it as “a bucket list event and a significant achievement for athletes of all levels from around the globe.” He congratulated participants for taking part in what he called an extraordinary test of endurance.
The Winners
In the Men’s Elite division, Fabio Ruga of San Siro, Italy, took first place with a time of 10 minutes and 47 seconds, followed by Wai Ching Soh of Kuala Lumpur in second and Ching Chun Lo of Taoyuan City, Florida, in third. Ruga, a seven-time competitor, celebrated his long-awaited victory, saying, “I have run seven times in the past. Three times I took third, but this year I’ve won. I’m very happy and I will be back next year.”
In the Women’s Elite division, Shari Klarfeld of Plainview, New York, captured the top spot with a time of 14 minutes and 7 seconds, followed by Tsz Yau Li of Hong Kong in second and Kamila Chomanicova of Bratislava in third. Klarfeld, who has been competing in the Run-Up since 2010, said, “This win is very surreal to me. I am very excited and so happy to be here.”
Other heats included Empire State Realty Trust tenants, members of the media, and brokers from leading real estate firms. Each runner faced the same climb, 1,576 steps through the building’s art deco stairwells, illuminated by soft emergency lights and guided by volunteers on every landing.
The Event Sponsors
As the presenting sponsor for the first time, NYU Langone Health brought its leadership in healthcare and wellness to the event. The health system, with seven inpatient hospitals and more than three hundred twenty outpatient locations, is known nationwide for high-quality outcomes and some of the lowest mortality rates in the country. Its participation reflected a shared message of endurance, excellence, and public health awareness.
The Challenged Athletes Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to sports for individuals with permanent physical disabilities, returned as the official charity partner. Its division included athletes with disabilities and supporters who raised funds to empower lives through sport.
At the end of the night, the Empire State Building lit its tower in a purple sparkle to honor all participants and mark the close of the 47th annual Run-Up.
The Iconic Landmark
The Empire State Building, owned by Empire State Realty Trust, rises 1,454 feet above Midtown Manhattan. $165 million renovation of the Observatory Experience created nine interactive galleries, a dedicated guest entrance, and a redesigned one hundred second-floor observatory offering panoramic views of the skyline.
It remains New York’s top attraction, ranked number one by Tripadvisor for four consecutive years. The American Institute of Architects named it “America’s Favorite Building,” and Lonely Planet lists it as the city’s leading destination. Since 2011, the building has operated entirely on renewable wind energy. Its tenants include LinkedIn and Shutterstock, while retail spaces feature STATE Grill and Bar, Tacombi, and Starbucks.
The 2025 Run-Up carried forward the Empire State Building’s legacy as a symbol of endurance, unity, and achievement. Each October, runners from across the world gather in its lobby, lean into the first flight, and climb until the skyline opens before them, a view earned step by step.
