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A firefighter at the Sky Tower race - Source: ONE News -
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It has been an early start for more than 400 fire fighters in their annual race up Auckland's Sky Tower.
They began charging up the 51 flights at 8am, wearing full fire-fighting kit and breathing apparatus.
The challenge is on to see who can claim the title of fastest man, woman and team to raise funds for the Leukaemia and Blood Foundation.
Marie Ryan from the Hutt Valley was one of the first women.
"It's my fourth year doing it and I haven't really learnt from it," she says.
Chief Executive Prue Etcheverry says the gear weighs up to 25 kilograms, and with a helmet on it is quite hot.
The New Zealand brigades are also being joined by fire fighters from the US and Australia for the challenge.
The fastest got there in 9 minutes and 35 seconds, the quickest in seven years.
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