Tasmanian firefighter Marlon von Moger has successfully defended his title at the Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climb for the second year running.
Von Moger, from Devonport, raced up the 28 floors of the Crown Metropol in 3 minutes and 31 seconds, beating his previous record of 3 minutes and 42 seconds set last year.
The gruelling challenge supports Cancer Research and Crisis Support, with this year’s event raising over $785,000.
“I was able to bring the trophy back to Tasmania for another year,” von Moger told ABC Radio.
“I don’t know how that’s working, getting older and faster.”
Several other Tasmanian brigades and around 50 firefighters contributed over $23,000 to the fund.
Other Tasmanians who excelled in the event included Shannon Harris and Nicki Graham, who placed first and second respectively in the Open Women’s Division.
Brendan Tucker, a volunteer from Bridgewater, won victory in the Open Male category.
Von Moger told Lucie Cutting on ABC Radio his training regimen involves cycling and simulating stair running through hill climbs.
“I sort of try and replicate sort of the training that I do on the bike … stair stuff,” he said.
“A few hard efforts climbing up some hills and yeah, it seems to be working for me.”
He said he doesn’t pay attention to the floor numbers as he ascends the building.
“I’m not actually looking … they’ve sort of got the stories on every level and I don’t look because sometimes that just makes it worse,” he said.
“But when you get to the top and you’re absolutely exhausted, I think that’s when it sinks in.”
Von Moger hinted that he may attempt to win the title for a third time next year.
“Three in a row has got a nice ring to it. So we’ll see,” he said.
