I conquer the tallest building in Beijing, panting

If elevators work, will you consider climbing to the top of a 330-meter-high skyscraper by leg power?

Such a crazy idea had never occurred to me, at least not before I decided to enter the inaugural China World Summit Wing Hotel Vertical Run held on Saturday in Beijing.

I have been so used to taking elevators anytime, anywhere - even in the six-floor building where I work. The last time I took the stairs instead of elevator in a building more than six floors (it is regulated in Beijing that buildings above six floors have to be equipped with elevators) was during the SARS period in 2003. In fear of catching the deadly virus in an enclosed space, I chose to climb 25 floors to visit a friend.