If you’re looking for your next serious fitness test, the Rialto Run-Up should be at the top of your 2025 race calendar. Returning for the first time in two decades, this iconic stair climb will take over Melbourne’s Rialto Building on Sunday, May 18. Participants will scale 1,240 steps across 54 floors. And it’s all for a powerful cause: raising vital funds for children and young adults with autism and complex needs through the renowned charity Giant Steps.
The Ultimate Vertical Endurance Test
Much like the Empire State Building Run-Up in New York, the Rialto Run-Up is more than a fitness event—it’s a test of sheer determination and cardio grit. You’ll start at the base of the Rialto at 525 Collins Street, then power your way up 54 flights, finishing at the award-winning Vue de Monde restaurant on the 55th floor. The image below is the view you’ll get when you reach the top.
This isn’t just a physical feat—it’s a mental one too. If you’ve ever done stair training for fat loss or VO₂ max improvement, you know how brutal the burn gets. But conquering this climb means you’re not only smashing your personal goals—you’re also helping autistic individuals and their families access life-changing support.
Support That Reaches New Heights
All proceeds from the Rialto Run-Up go directly to Giant Steps, a Melbourne-based program supporting individuals with autism and complex needs. The charity provides everything from communication support and work experience to functional life skill training.
For families like Chloe’s—whose story was shared by the organization—the impact of Giant Steps is nothing short of transformative.
“Since starting with this amazing school, we truly feel we have been rescued from a life of ongoing exclusion and trauma. Chloe’s growth and confidence are visible from the moon.”
Rialto Run-Up 2025: Big Names. Bigger Motivation.
If you need a little more inspiration to lace up, expect a star-studded field on race day, including:
- Jordan De Goey and players from the Collingwood AFL team
- Melbourne Storm NRL players
- OG stair climber Adam Ryan, co-founder of Stair Climbing Australia, who last ran the event in 2005 and is returning—this time with his entire family in tow.
As Ryan puts it:
“I simply cannot walk past the Rialto without being in awe of the building and the memory of the race.”
Race-Day Perks Worth the Climb
This year’s event will include:
- Recovery Lab access post-race
- Live entertainment
- Optional celebratory breakfast at Vue de Monde for an extra $50—perfect for rewarding your effort in style.
And don’t worry—if you’re not a seasoned climber, the event is open to all fitness levels. It’s about showing up, stepping up, and pushing your limits for a cause that deserves every ounce of effort.
Event Details
- Date: Sunday, May 18, 2025
- Location: Rialto Building, 525 Collins St, Melbourne, 3000
- Distance: 1,240 stairs to the 54th floor
- Registration: www.rialtorunup.net.au
