Hundreds make World Trade Center tower climb
NEW YORK (AP) — They're high steppers of a different sort. More than 700 people took the long way up at the World Trade Center on Thursday — climbing the stairs.
They did it for the inaugural "Runyon Up," a fundraiser for the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation.
Elite climbers went first, leading the pack at 4 World Trade Center. Participants could either tackle all 72 floors, or do a partial climb to the 54th floor.
The fastest male contender reached the 72nd floor in just under 9 minutes. The first woman to the finish floor clocked in at just over 11 minutes.
The event was sanctioned, unlike last month when a New Jersey boy sneaked through a fence and took an elevator to the spire before being arrested.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.
It's a scramble to the top.
About 700 people will be taking the long way up to the 72nd floor at 4 World Trade Center on Thursday evening — hiking up the stairs.
The event is called the "Runyon Up," a fundraiser for the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation.
Elite climbers will lead off the event. The general field will go up after that, with climbers heading off one at a time every few seconds.
Participants can either do a full climb, all 72 floors, or a partial climb to the 54th floor. There's also a virtual climb, for those who want to take the elevator to the 54th floor.
Tower climbs are held in high-profile buildings around the world, including the Empire State Building.
The event is sanctioned, unlike a recent spate of thrill-seekers making unauthorized visits to the site.
Sixteen-year-old Justin Casquejo, of Weehawken, N.J., was arrested last month after getting through a hole in the fence surrounding the 104-story 1 World Trade Center and taking the elevator to the spire.
On Wednesday, a judge decided Casquejo would be assessed in a program for youthful offenders. He faces charges including criminal trespass.
In another incident, three people parachuted from the building in September, producing a video of their jump.
