A Gold Coast high-rise endurance run has attracted more than 800 people to take the stairs up 77 storeys to the top of the Q1 building, in the name of charity.

More than 800 people have run up the stairs at Q1 (centre). ( Flickr: l.bailey_beverley, CC BY 2.0 )

The annual climb pits both individuals and teams in a race to the top of Australia's tallest residential building to raise money for Surf Lifesaving Queensland.

Event director Steve Corrie said making it all the way up the 1,331 stairs to the top was a serious challenge.

"The reality is most people do it in about 14 to 16 minutes," he said.

"You'll be pleased to know they all make it to the top but some in better shape than others.

"The Gold Coast is all about the beaches and this year it's about Surf Lifesaving Queensland, so every single dollar raised goes straight back to all that surf lifesaving support on our beaches."

Runner Mark Bourne holds the record for the fastest run up the stairs at six minutes 41 seconds, and this year just missed out on breaking his personal best.

"It's usually the mental side of things that's the hardest part," he said.

Mark Bourne could not beat his own record time this year. ( ABC News: Ashleigh Stevenson )

"Obviously it's hard physically but once you're in there it's pretty repetitive and you just have to keep a rhythm and try not to think about how far to go.

"I think it was a little slower than my record but still pretty solid so overall I'm happy," he said after the race.

"It was a tough run as always no matter how fast you're going. It's pretty hard to get your body up to the top of these buildings."

While making the climb once is more than enough for most, Brian Wilson said he was aiming to get into double figures.

"I'm just about to start my fifth one and my goal is for 15 today," he said.

"But it is a lot hotter than last year so we'll see how we go. I'm definitely crazy - I'll never deny that."