The Region team enjoy the views after competing in the Stair Chase Challenge in 2021. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
It’s a long, hard slog up those stairs, but we promise everyone finishes with big smiles. Returning for its fourth year, the annual Stair Chase Challenge is inviting new and old teams to scale the heights of Geocon’s High Society building.
It’s all in the name of raising money for Menslink, a charity that supports boys, men and non-binary people aged between 10 and 25.
“At Geocon, we want to bring awareness to Menslink and highlight all that the organisation does for the community, and for young boys and men in our community specifically,” said Geocon’s head of human resources and corporate services Carly Devine.
“The work that Menslink do is something that we are really passionate about,” Carly said. “We bring the Stair Chase Challenge back every year because everyone really loves to get involved.”
It’s been a very successful event. There’s certainly a dose of healthy competition amongst the participating Canberra businesses and people that we work with regularly.”
The event will be held on Tuesday (23 May) at the High Society building within the Republic Precinct in Belconnen.
The High Society building was deliberately chosen as the venue for the Stair Chase Challenge as its sheer height makes it the tallest residential tower in Canberra.
“It’s not going to be easy – there are 27 flights of concrete stairs to tackle!” Carly said.
On the day, small groups of participants will be released every three minutes, to prevent the staircase from becoming crowded.
“We have 15 businesses involved so far, with some of them entering two teams each and totalling to around eighty to 100 runners for the day,” Carly said.
The fun will finish with an awards ceremony for the fastest individual woman, fastest individual man and the fastest team.
“We believe that keeping fit and healthy goes hand-in-hand with keeping mentally fit.”
A barbecue lunch on the top of the building will follow, with sky-high views of Belconnen as your reward (well, that and bragging rights in the office after successfully finishing the challenge).
A team with four or more members can donate $1000 to participate, while an individual can donate $300 to participate.
If you haven’t registered yet, there’s no need to stress because registrations can be made on the day from 9:30 am before the challenge starts at 10 am sharp.
Geocon is looking to raise $15,000 once again this year.
Carly said $1,500 will turn one man’s life around with help from Menslink’s services. Reaching $15,000 would mean an additional 10 young men can access Menslink’s free counselling, mentoring and education programs this year.
“It’s only half a day out of all of our working lives, and a fantastic opportunity to give back to the community, all while getting in a little bit of fitness, team building and networking too,” she said.
As for those busy preparing for their chance at glory, Carly has some simple advice: keep going once you start.
“May the fastest team win!”
Those looking to get involved can pay their donation to participate, as well as any donations they wish to make via the Menslink website.
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