Alistair Brownlee in a New York State of Mind for his next challenge

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Triathlon great Alistair Brownlee promised he’d tackle a variety of new challenges when he announced his retirement from the sport just under a year ago.

And he’s been true to his word – running races have included everything from the famous Three Peaks Fell Race in the Yorkshire Dales through to a glorified pub crawl in Donald Trump costume at the Oxenhope Straw Race.

And next week he won’t be far from the US President as he jets to New York for a very different type of running test.

Big Apple beckons

Writing on Instagram, the double Olympic champion said: “Trading the hills for 87 sets of stairs next week…🗽

“I’ll be lining up for the Empire State Building Run-Up… 1,576 steps, 86 floors, and a very different kind of challenge.

“Not quite the Yorkshire Dales, but I’m looking forward to seeing how the legs handle it. 😅”

Alistair Brownlee Nathan Edmondson Oxenhope Straw Race 2025 — Alistair Brownlee, left, at the Oxenhope Straw Race [Photo credit: Gavin Lamb]

‘Ultimate test of endurance’

It all takes place next Wednesday (8th October) and the event describes itself as follows: “The Empire State Building Run-Up (ESBRU) is the world’s first and most famous tower race.

“It challenges runners from near and far to race up its famed 1,576 stairs.

“While visitors can reach the building’s Observatory via elevator in under one minute, the fastest runners have covered the floors by foot in about 10 minutes.

“Leaders in the sport of professional tower-running converge at the Empire State Building in what some consider the ultimate test of endurance.”

Brownlee heads to the States on the back of another endurance test as he and brother Jonny both finished in the top 20 at the British Gravel Biking Championships at Dalby Forest recently.

Written by

Jonathan Turner

Jonathan Turner is News Director for both TRI247 and RUN247, and is accustomed to big-name interviews, breaking news stories and providing unrivalled coverage for endurance sports.

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