What is it?

Racing up the staircases of skyscrapers is the latest extreme endurance sport in America. Enthusiasts, who claim that it is the toughest but most effective of all workouts, are clamouring to enter tower-running events such as the Empire State Building Run-up, organised by New York Road Runners, with a thigh-burning 1,576 steps. Similar events are held in Taiwan, Milan and across the US. London staged the Tower Rush this year, in which entrants ran to the top of Tower 42 in the City.

Who is it aimed at?

Those who want to get super-fit — athletes, boxers and footballers all use stair-climbing as part of their training — or those who want to lose weight quickly. Just climbing stairs at a moderate pace burns seven calories a minute. Run up and you could burn 900 calories an hour.

What are the health benefits?

The American Lung Foundation says that stair-running provides the same benefits in 15 minutes as you would obtain from running for twice as long on flat ground. It is fairly low-impact on the knees and feet. Researchers at the University of Ulster found that young women who climbed stairs for up to six minutes a day reduced their cholesterol levels by 10 to 15 per cent over six weeks, and raised their cardiovascular fitness.

Who does it?

Very fit athletes looking for a new challenge, and those who are bored with using the step machine at the gym.

Can I try it?

Sites such as stairclimbingsport.com have details of official events, but of course you can start at home. Make sure you use good technique: don’t hunch your back or twist your head, and bend your arms at right angles to provide power as they pump. Make sure that your whole foot lands on each step, to avoid straining the Achilles tendon — and don’t run back downstairs.

Is it worth the effort?

Undoubtedly. This is among the best bottom-firming and leg-toning workouts around. Last year a Swiss study even suggested that banning the use of lifts and escalators in offices could lead to a 15 per cent reduction in people’s chances of dying young.

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