Towers 4 Change West Side Place Melbourne
A World First in Stair Climbing: The 4-Tower Challenge at West Side Place
March 30th, 2025 will go down in towerrunning history as the day Melbourne hosted the world’s first 4-Tower Stair Challenge — a bold, beautiful, and brutal event unlike anything the sport has seen before.
Set against the sleek urban backdrop of West Side Place, this iconic precinct—home to the luxurious Dorsett Hotel and Ritz Carlton Melbourne—became a battleground for hundreds of climbers, from first-timers to the world’s very best.
And what a challenge it was:
Tower 2: 64 floors, 1,152 stairs
Tower 3: 69 floors, 1,242 stairs
Tower 4: 71 floors, 1,278 stairs
Tower 1: 82 floors, 1,476 stairs
That's a total of 286 floors and over 5,000 steps, all in one morning. Madness? Maybe. But for us, it was magic.
The Calm Before the Climb
The buzz began on Saturday, as some of us took advantage of early bib pickup. The precinct was abuzz with energy as finishing touches were made. It was surreal seeing such a polished, glamorous space transform into a climbing coliseum.
Elites and multi-tower climbers were treated to a behind-the-scenes preview — including access to the stairwells. Watching the elite Towerrunners dissect stairwells like seasoned detectives was a sight to behold. Every detail mattered — stair height, rail placement, air circulation — nothing escaped their analysis.
For the rest of us? We just got a little more nervous... but the anticipation far outweighed the fear.
Let the Climb Begin!
The morning of March 30th crackled with energy.
From 6:30am, the West Side Place precinct began to stir. Participants trickled in first in ones and twos, then in waves — a sea of climbers clad in singlets, compression tights, colourful socks, and nerves. The buzz was infectious. The cool city air was laced with the scent of coffee, the beat of warm-up playlists, and the low hum of adrenaline.
Bib collection quickly turned into a hive of activity. Volunteers moved swiftly with smiles and clipboards as excited chatter filled the plaza. You could spot the stair climbing veterans by their focused gazes and carefully measured stretches — and the first-timers, wide-eyed, scanning the towering buildings ahead of them with a mix of awe and “what have I signed up for?”
By 7am, the precinct was alive. Athletes were warming up with dynamic lunges, light jogs, and stair sprints along the laneways. Last-minute shoe ties were happening everywhere, and nervous laughter echoed under the looming skyscrapers. Friends huddled together taking selfies, checking watches, and hyping each other up for the monumental feat ahead.
And then — the call to the start line.
At 7:30am sharp, the first wave was ready. The tension hit a whole new level. You could feel the collective breath being held as the elite climbers took their positions. Among them: Ryoji Watanabe and Yuko Tateishi from Japan, Wai Ching Soh from Malaysia, Australia’s own Mark Bourne, and Singapore’s Serene Cheong and Steven Chen. Danish powerhouse Martin Pedersen stood quietly, composed and focused.
There was no mistaking it — this was history in the making. The world’s first-ever 4-Tower Stair Challenge was about to explode into action. 286 floors. Over 5,000 stairs. Four towers. One morning.
As the countdown echoed across the plaza — 3, 2, 1 — they were off.
The crowd roared. Cheers rang out. Feet pounded into the stairwells as wave after wave of climbers launched themselves upward. From the very first step, the race was on — not just against each other, but against the voice in your head telling you to stop, slow down, or give up.
This was more than just a physical event. It was an all-out assault on the senses. The kind of challenge that makes you dig deeper, go further, and finish stronger than you ever thought possible.
Let the climb begin.
Tower 2 – The "Baby" of the Big Dance
By Steve Bentley
Well, the Big Dance had arrived.
We kicked off the day with the 'Baby' of the four towers – Tower Number 2 – at ‘only’ 64 floors. A mere sprint, some might say. Yeh, right. It's still 10 floors higher than the Rialto!
For those brave enough to tackle all four towers, it was about finding that delicate balance: which voice do you listen to?
We had 286 floors and over 5,000 steps ahead of us in one morning. Do you follow the Angel on your left shoulder whispering, “Take it easy. Pace yourself. The towers get progressively longer. Don’t burn out early”? Or do you give in to the Devil on the right, shouting, “Go hard or go home. You can rest tomorrow. Only the weak back off!”?
Probably, before Steve Corrie counts us down, we all side with the Angel. But a few floors in, that Devil’s voice starts to take over.
So it was on Tower 2 – just the Baby, but don’t be fooled. The lactic acid still builds, and your lungs still burn. Time plays tricks – every second stretches, every minute feels eternal.
Still, credit where it’s due: the stairwell, being relatively new, was clean, fresh, and bright – dare I say ‘pleasant’ to run up.
You dig deep, hang in there, and finally – voices, cheers, and then ‘Bang!’ – you burst out 64 floors above the CBD. You spend a few minutes gasping and questioning your life choices... and then it hits you: Bring on the next one.
Some may call us crazy, but it’s these moments – pushing the limits, stepping outside the comfort zone – that make stair climbing feel just a little bit rebellious and strangely seductive.
And through it all, it was a privilege to be climbing for a cause, raising funds for FARA, the designated charity for Tower 2.
Tower 3 – Climbing for a Cause Close to the Heart
By Marcus Burgess
On March 30th, I took part in the world’s first 4-tower stair climb at West Side Place in Melbourne – an event like no other. Each tower supported a different charity, and I chose to climb Tower 3 in support of the Good Friday Appeal for the Royal Children’s Hospital.
From the moment we arrived for the pre-race briefing, the atmosphere was electric – a buzz of energy and anticipation I hadn’t felt at any event before. Everyone had that unique mix of excitement and nerves, but above all, there was joy. We were all simply thrilled to be part of something so special.
Tower 3 held particular meaning for me. As a child, I spent many days and weeks at the Royal Children's Hospital, and over the years I’ve proudly raised funds for the Good Friday Appeal. To climb those 69 floors for a cause so close to my heart was incredibly meaningful.
The start line for Tower 3 was something to behold – decked out in the bright colours of the Appeal. By then, the nerves had settled. The conversations flowed, old friends reconnected, and new friendships were sparked as we waited our turn to take on the climb.
And what a climb it was! Tough, no doubt, but a great challenge. The reward at the top? A breathtaking 360-degree view of Melbourne – a well-earned pause to laugh, chat, and take in the city from above.
Being part of this event, surrounded by such positivity and purpose, is something I’ll always be proud of.
Towers 3 and 1 – Finding the Edge
By Martin Pedersen
Third climb. 71 floors. I was trying to nail the pacing again, but in hindsight, I played it a little too conservatively. This climb felt more like a practice run – controlled, steady – and when I reached the top, I knew I hadn’t pushed myself as hard as I could have. But with one tower still to go, maybe that wasn’t the worst strategy.
Then came an hour of water and Starbursts before the final test.
Tower 1 – the fourth and final climb. 82 floors. As we lined up, we could see the first part of the stairwell – and so could the less experienced climbers. Their reactions were gold: “Ooh,” “Wow,” and laughs of disbelief as they watched Ryoji, Wai Ching, Mark, and Ryan warm up. I wish those guys could’ve heard it – they really made an impression.
My own start was far less impressive, but I was off, aiming for a balanced effort while pushing closer to the red line.
I was holding strong… until around floor 60 or 61. That’s when I ran into a wall. Literally.
Suddenly, instead of another flight of stairs, I was met with an actual wall – and I needed to turn just 90 degrees, not the usual 180, and run a short flat section. Volunteers were there to guide us, but I mistook it for a water station and hesitated.
That brief confusion threw off my rhythm, and the last 20 floors turned into a mental and physical battle. The only thing that kept me going was knowing: this is it – the final 20 floors of the day.
Eventually, I crossed the finish line and stayed at the top for a while, soaking in the incredible views of Melbourne. It was over. Almost.
We made our way to an elevator, (though I’m certain it wasn’t the right one)which was through the polished guts of a very swanky hotel. As we wandered through hallways clearly meant for staff, I kept repeating in my head: Don’t set off an alarm, don’t set off an alarm! Eventually, we emerged – no alarms triggered.
Then it was time for snacks, stories, and the sweet satisfaction of being done.
Everyone had their own unique experience with each climb. Tower 1, in particular, sparked a lot of debate. Most of us agreed it felt steeper, but we all had different points where it hit us. That probably came down to how spent we were by then.
But one thing was universal: we were all thrilled to be part of this brand-new climb in Melbourne.
The Medal – A Masterpiece of Meaning and Design
Every step of this event was unforgettable — and the medal was no exception.
Each tower finish came with its own unique medal, colour-matched to the charity it supported:
💙 Tower 1 – Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation
💗 Tower 2 – Friedreich Ataxia Research Association (FARA)
💜 Tower 3 – Good Friday Appeal
💛 Tower 4 – Victorian Homeless Fund
But here’s the magic — each piece was more than a standalone medal. Each segment was magnetised, designed to click together with the others to form one spectacular, unified medal:
The Mother of All Medals.
When all four were finally joined, the crowd was awe-struck by the beauty of the bling — intricate, meaningful, and a perfect representation of the challenge. From what we know, this is the first stair climbing event in the world to feature a medal like this — a collectible that’s also a triumph of design and symbolism.
This wasn’t just a medal — it was a reward for grit, unity, and spirit.
The Mighty Multi-Tower Ascenders – A Sea of Green and Gold 🌟
Among the many unforgettable sights of the day, one stood out in bold and brilliant colours: a wave of green and goldsweeping through West Side Place. The unmistakable presence of Stair Climbing Australia was everywhere — cheering, climbing, encouraging — embodying the very spirit of the sport.
A whopping 28 proud SCA members took on the ultimate challenge: all four towers. That’s right — 286 floors and 5,148 steps in one morning. And they didn’t just do it — they owned it.
Some flew in from across the country — from Queensland, Sydney, Adelaide, and Perth — just to be part of this history-making day. From seasoned elites to everyday climbers chasing personal goals, their dedication was undeniable. Wherever you looked, you saw the unity, the passion, and the unmistakable SCA singlets shining bright.
They weren’t just participants — they were ambassadors, fueling the energy of the event and showing the world what stair climbing is all about. Laughing between climbs, trading stories, pushing each other forward — this was a familystepping up together.
Each step was powered not just by muscle, but by heart, camaraderie, and pride in representing a growing national movement. The green and gold didn’t just climb towers — they elevated the entire event.
To every SCA climber who showed up, suited up, and stepped up: you made this moment unforgettable.
More Than Just a Climb
Each tower wasn’t just a physical challenge — it was a climb for a cause, with every step helping to support a vital Australian charity. Participants selected which tower to climb based not only on the number of floors but also the cause they wanted to support:
Tower 1 – Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation (OCRF)
OCRF is Australia’s leading independent body dedicated to funding research into early detection and treatment of ovarian cancer. With symptoms often vague and diagnosis frequently occurring in later stages, ovarian cancer is one of the deadliest female cancers. By supporting OCRF, climbers helped accelerate research into life-saving diagnostic tools and better outcomes for women everywhere.Tower 2 – Friedreich Ataxia Research Association (FARA Australia)
FARA funds medical research for Friedreich Ataxia, a rare, degenerative neuromuscular disorder that causes progressive damage to the nervous system, leading to muscle weakness, loss of coordination, and, in many cases, heart complications. There is currently no cure. Climbing for FARA helped raise crucial funds for finding effective treatments and supporting affected families.Tower 3 – Good Friday Appeal (for the Royal Children’s Hospital)
A cherished Victorian tradition, the Good Friday Appeal raises money to support the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne — one of Australia’s leading paediatric hospitals. The appeal funds cutting-edge research, equipment, and programs to improve the care and wellbeing of sick kids and their families. Tower 3 climbers stepped up to show their love for the RCH and its world-class care.Tower 4 – Victorian Homeless Fund (VHF)
The VHF is a volunteer-run organisation that provides safe, secure, and affordable housing for Victorians experiencing homelessness, especially women and children escaping domestic violence. With the housing crisis worsening, every dollar raised makes a real impact. Those who climbed Tower 4 did so in support of helping vulnerable people find a home and a future.The Podium Finish – The World’s Best at Work 🏆
The best of the best gave us a show to remember. These athletes not only conquered all four towers — they crushed it:
Men's Top 3
🥇 Wai Ching Soh (Malaysia) – 25:37
🥈 Ryoji Watanabe (Japan) – 25:43
🥉 Mark Bourne (Australia) – 29:23Women's Top 3
🥇 Yuko Tateishi (Japan) – 34:21
🥈 Josie Riseley (Australia) – 36:45
🥉 Li Tsk Yau – (Japan) 37:32
Huge thanks to Far East Consortium, whose support and vision brought this event to life, and to Stair Challenge Australia, led by the always-brilliant Steve Corrie, who managed one of the most complex stair climbing events ever held. Pulling this off was a feat in itself.From personal triumphs to global podiums, from laughter to lactic acid, the first-ever 4-Tower Stair Challenge at West Side Place was more than an event — it was a movement.
To everyone who climbed, volunteered, supported, or cheered: you were part of history. And this is just the beginning.
Melbourne has spoken. Stair climbing has leveled up.
Until next time — keep climbing. 🚀
