By ALESHA CAPONE
ST ALBANS resident Amanda Riddles is stepping up to a challenge which will see her climb more than 1600 stairs in Melbourne’s tallest building.
The annual Eureka Climb, part of the global World Cup tower running series, will be on Sunday 17 November.
Participants will race up 1642 steps of the Eureka Tower in Southbank to raise funds for Whitelion and Interplast Australia and New Zealand.
Both of the charities are dedicated to helping young people, which Ms Riddles said appealed to her as a teacher.
Ms Riddles will tackle the Eureka Climb with her partner Peter and a group of their friends.
“I’m doing the Eureka Climb as I have transformed my life this year,” she said.
Ms Riddles said she has been through “a few rough years” including a battle with depression and insomnia.
However, she said her passion for exercise has returned and become a driving force in her life.
Ms Riddles said an important aspect of fitness was to not postpone physical activity.
“We all make excuses and overthink stuff sometimes,” she said.
“I think you just have to do it, just do it literally. Once you start, you get addicted to the lifestyle.
“Doing the Eureka Climb with my friends and partner, I think it will be very special and we will have lots of fun.”
Ms Riddles is in top shape as she heads towards the event, with a fitness schedule where she runs between four to five kilometres, five days a week.
Last Sunday she completed a 12km run to raise funds for Hurstbridge Primary School.
In December, she plans to take part in the 10km Sussan Women’s Fun Run to raise funds for the Breast Cancer Network Australia.
Ms Riddles encouraged other people with depression not to give up hope.
“There is light at the end of the tunnel,” she said.
See www.eurekaclimb.com.au for more information about the Eureka Climb.
