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Crake Climbs to Fourth Straight Fleet Run-Up Victory
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David Monti
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Australian mountain running champion Paul Crake dominated yesterday's Empire State Building Run-Up, winning his fourth straight title
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Despite shifting his training to prepare for a spring marathon, Australian mountain running champion Paul Crake dominated yesterday's Fleet Empire State Building Run-Up, winning his fourth straight title and beating his nearest rival by nearly a minute. Breaking the ten minute mark for the third time, Crake's nine minute and 40 second clocking was the second fastest in the 25-year history of the event.
"About four weeks ago I had to change my training schedule all around, and start doing some specific stair work, and just put the marathon training to the side," said the 25-year-old from North Lyneham near Canberra, who hopes to make his marathon debut at Paris in April.
Organized by the New York Road Runners, the Run-Up is unlike any other running event in New York City. Athletes, who compete by invitation only, need to master not only stair climbing, but the chaotic start, which forces them to sprint for just a few seconds on a slippery marble floor before darting into a narrow stairwell. Last year, Crake had managed to get through the door first for a clear run to the 86th floor observatory finish line, but this year he started from behind.
Paul Crake climbing to victory
Victah Sailer / Photo Run |
"The leader shot off immediately," said Crake of early leader, Sproule Love of Brooklyn, N.Y. "He was out of sight within a few flights. I knew that he had gone out too hard."
"That was my plan," said Love, a web editor and freelance writer, who had trouble getting into the stairwell quickly last year. "I did a little bit of sprint work. I know it's only 20 meters, but it makes a big difference."
Love's early surge didn't rattle Crake. Moving at his own pace, he had Love in sight by the 22nd floor, and passed him on the 25th. Love would finish third, passed by Austrian mountain runner Rudolf Reitberger.
"In some respects I was in control from the time I hit the stairwell," said Crake analyzing his race. "I was just doing my own race at my own pace."
Crake seemed pleased just to have the opportunity to compete this year. With the destruction of the twin towers of the World Trade Center last year, a race up what is once again the tallest building in New York seemed unlikely.
"Obviously, after Sept. 11, I had real doubts about whether the Run-Up would be on," said Crake. "When I found out the race would continue into its 25th year, the least I could do is come back and show that I still have faith in New York."
German mountain runner Kerstin Harbich was the surprise winner of the women's race, upsetting three-time champion, Cindy Moll of Indianapolis. Harbich, 27, had won a trip to the race by winning a stair climb in Vienna last year. She broke the finish tape under a brilliant blue sky on the outdoor observatory in 12:46, 39 seconds ahead of Moll.
"I kept an eye on her," said Harbich who climbed directly behind Moll for most of the trip up the 1,576 stairs. "I was anxious."
But at the 64th floor, Harbich made her move around Moll.
"I could feel her hand right there on my shoulder the whole entire way," said Moll, an accountant, who had won the race in 1998 and 2000 and 2001. "Then at 65, I don't know how she did it, she just ran past me. During the race I could hear her breathing harder than I was so I assumed she was more tired, but that wasn't the case. I'm a little disappointed, but I gave it my all."
A number of New York City firefighters and police officers also competed, with firefighter Ken Bohan the top finisher in 14:15, just 15 seconds ahead of Aristides Maisonave of the NYPD.
Results
Men
1. Paul Crake, North Lyneham, Australia, 9:40
2. Rudolf Reitberger, 30, Linz, Austria, 10:36
3. Sproule Love, 30, Brooklyn, N.Y., 11:10
Women
1. Kerstin Harbich, 27, Garmish, Germany, 12:46
2. Cindy Moll, 33, Indianapolis, In., 13:25
3. Kathy Kropke, 36, Avon by the Sea, N.J., 14:57
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