Early on the morning of 6 December 2025, something a little different was happening at The Leonardo in Sandton Central. While the city eased into its Saturday, 50 firefighters arrived at South Africa’s tallest building with a very specific plan: climb all 57 floors of it. As fast as they could. In full firefighting gear.

No lifts. No spectators lining the stairwell. Just boots on concrete, heavy equipment and a lot of stairs.

This was the inaugural CHARNAUD® Race to the Top, a one-day event that brought together firefighters and EMS personnel from around the country for a challenge that was tough, physical and refreshingly straightforward. Get from the bottom to the top under your own steam, then catch your breath and compare times.

How the race came together

The idea for the Race to the Top came from something that was already happening. Firefighters in Gauteng had been using The Leonardo’s staircase as part of their training, drawn to the building simply because of its height and layout. If you’re looking to build endurance, 57 floors will do the job.

When CHARNAUD®, South Africa’s long-standing manufacturer of protective firefighting gear, heard about this, the connection made sense. Pair the country’s tallest building with the people who regularly test their physical limits, and you have the makings of a proper challenge.

Working alongside The Leonardo and members of the firefighting community, the idea evolved into a formal race, structured, safely managed and focused on the firefighters themselves.

As Adrian Landry, General Manager of The Leonardo, noted at the time, hosting the event was about opening the building up to something meaningful and practical, not just symbolic. The Leonardo has been a landmark in Sandton Central since its completion in 2024, but on this day it became a training ground, a finish line and a shared experience.

Race day in the stairwell

The race began at 07h00, with staggered starts to keep things controlled and safe. For operational reasons, the event was closed to the public, with access limited to competitors, accredited media and essential personnel. That meant no distractions, just a quiet, echoing stairwell and the sound of breathing and boots.

Each firefighter took on the climb individually, ascending all 57 floors in full structural gear. The equipment is designed for protection, not comfort, and climbing nearly 1 200 steps in it is no small task.

Medical teams from Netcare 911 and Mines Rescue Services were on site throughout the morning, providing support and ensuring the event ran smoothly. At the top, competitors emerged onto the rooftop to a well-earned moment of rest, hydration and, eventually, a prize-giving ceremony.

There was a sense of camaraderie that carried through the day, a shared understanding of just how demanding the climb was, regardless of finishing time.

The results

For those keeping an eye on the clock, the results were impressive.

Men’s Category
1st Place: Manie Gouws – 13:36
2nd Place: Simiso Gumede – 13:49
3rd Place: Ethan Wilderman – 14:15

Women’s Category
1st Place: Maithamako Moswete – 19:30
2nd Place: Natasha Stoltz – 22:03
3rd Place: Masabata Shologu – 23:40

Put into context, these times reflect not only speed but sustained effort over a long vertical distance. Anyone who has ever tackled a few flights of stairs and felt it in their legs can appreciate what it takes to keep going all the way to the top.

A practical way to mark 50 years

The 2025 Race to the Top also formed part of CHARNAUD®’s 50-year anniversary, and the way it was marked stayed true to the spirit of the event.

Instead of novelty prizes, every firefighter who competed received a FIRE-SAFE® AIR-LITE® Bunker Suit to keep. The suits were customised with a commemorative 50-year emblem within a Maltese Cross, along with the South African flag, a subtle but meaningful nod to the milestone.

The Leonardo as a backdrop

There’s no denying that The Leonardo adds something unique to an event like this. At 234 metres tall, it’s a defining feature of Sandton Central’s skyline, and using it as the setting for a stair race gives its scale real, physical meaning.

If you’ve ever stayed at The Leonardo, you’ll know that even a short walk up a few flights of stairs can be surprisingly humbling. Watching firefighters tackle the entire building puts that into sharp perspective.

Of course, for most visitors, The Leonardo is less about endurance training and more about enjoying the experience. A swim in The Leonardo’s Octo Bar pool with views across the city, time spent browsing the art throughout the building, or a relaxed sundowner at Alto234, the highest urban bar on the continent, feels like a far more sensible way to take in the height.

After that, retreating to a quiet, luxurious room for the night makes the idea of climbing all 57 floors feel even more ambitious in hindsight.

A solid, memorable Sandton Central moment

The CHARNAUD® Race to the Top wasn’t about spectacle for its own sake. It was a well-organised, one-day event that gave firefighters a chance to challenge themselves in a unique setting, supported by partners who understood the importance of keeping things focused and practical.

Behind the scenes, medical teams, volunteers and operational staff ensured the day ran smoothly, but the attention stayed where it should — on the firefighters and the climb.

For Sandton Central, it was one of those moments that captures the area at its best. A striking location, a smart collaboration and people doing something impressive without making a big song and dance about it.

Just a tough race, a very tall building and a group of professionals who made it look almost easy.