Empire State Building Race Inspires WCCO Event

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Wednesday marks the annual run to the top of the Empire State Building, a race that's been held each year since 1978.

Runners from around the world race up the 1,575 stairs, starting in the lobby and racing up to the 86th floor. Paul Crake holds the current men's record of 9 minutes, 33 seconds.

Since that race is invitation-only, we decided to have a race of our own right here in the WCCO studios. Jamie Yuccas challenged Jason DeRusha, who was recently on the cover of Minneapolis St. Paul Magazine sporting his wonderful sweatband.

Watch the video report to see how the race ended up.