"We can't have two losses in one day; we've got to win something," Brett Bates was overheard telling his brother before the 23rd annual Baldwin St gutbuster in Dunedin yesterday.
The win was not to be, but competing in the world's steepest street race was still a good experience.
"It was shorter than I thought, but steeper, but it's definitely do-able. I would tell anyone to do it," said Brett.
"It's a good way to run off the beer," said Rowan.
"We didn't know this was on, but we thought we'd give it a go," Brett said.
And they were not the only visitors taking the world's steepest street in their stride.
While a swarm of international media covered the event, London Evening Standard columnist Henry Swarbrick tackled the hill for real.
The writer of a daily column on the RWC fan experience, he said he thought it would be unfair to write about the gutbuster, but not actually do it.
The run had been "a bit scary" and hardest on the way down, by which stage he did not have the energy to do the recommended skipping, which might have made it easier.
"That would have meant actually having to push my legs off the ground."
Now he had done the gutbuster, he next had to conquer surfing at St Kilda, before heading to Queenstown, where he would be "obliged" to sample the town's night-life.
Student and athlete Glen Ballam won in 2min 32sec, and felt "a little bit bad" about pipping Ben Abraham at the post.
Mr Ballam had a chance to practise on Saturday, when he came for the race a day early.
Organiser Kevin Murphy, of Hill City Athletics, said there was a good turnout due to extra visitors and the fine weather.
