More than 200 Climbers, including firefighters and GORUCKERS, are registered to participate in the 16th annual Fight For Air Climb Pittsburgh, presented by MSA safety, and are heading outdoors to PNC Park on Saturday, March 19, 2022 starting at 9:00 a.m. In addition to a new location, the event features new “GORUCK” division and challenges. Funds raised will support research, advocacy and education for lung diseases, including COVID-19, with a goal of $110,000.
“Our participants last year loved the experience of climbing outside so this year we’re excited to hold the event at the iconic PNC Park,” said Caroline Hutchinson, executive director of the American Lung Association. “In addition, to providing a fun event for people at all athletic levels, with one-of a-kind views of the city skyline as we climb around the lower bowl of the baseball field, we have even more challenging options for those that want to test their fitness even more.”
Whether you’re new to stair climbing or a veteran Climber, you can choose your adventure: climb for the top time, race for your personal best or take it at your own pace – whether in person or registering for the virtual “Climb Your Way” option, at a location of your choice. The Fight for Air Climb Pittsburgh has participant options for every type of Climber, including individuals, families, groups of friends and corporate teams as well as special categories for GORUCK, Elite Climbers and Firefighters/First Responders.
- Stadium Climbers: Climb the lower bowl of PNC, totaling 1,077 stairs. Awards will be given for top fundraising individual, top fundraising team, fastest overall climber, fastest overall male and female; fastest overall team; Top three Fastest male and female ages- 14 and under, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+. $35 online registration (closes Tuesday at 11:59pm) and $100 minimum fundraising; $50 day of registration and $100 minimum fundraising.
- GORUCK: Awards will be given to top overall male and top overall female GORUCK finishers who cross the finish line with rucks that met the weight standard. Every registered participant of the GORUCK division will receive and exclusive Fight For Air Climb GORUCK patch. Ruckers who do not carry the minimum weight requirement are welcome to participate! $35 online registration (closes Tuesday at 11:59pm) and $100 minimum fundraising; $50 day of registration and $100 minimum fundraising.
- Firefighters: Team Awards include Fastest Firefighter team and Top Fundraising Firefighter Team. Individual Firefighter Awards include Overall Fastest Firefighter Male and Female in full gear. $35 online registration (closes Tuesday at 11:59pm) and $100 minimum fundraising; $50 day of registration and $100 minimum fundraising.
The dollars raised with this event help to support local lung disease education, advocacy and research in Western Pennsylvania. This year, The American Lung Association is funding four researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Stephen Chan, M.D., Ph.D., Amanda Poholek, Ph.D., Maryam Sharifi-Sanjani, Ph.D. and Zhaoxia (Julia) Qu, Ph.D. This important research will help to improve lung disease outcomes including asthma, COVID-19 and lung cancer. The mission of the American Lung Association is more important than ever – to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease.
In addition to presenting sponsor MSA Safety, local sponsors are UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, Emerson, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield/Allegheny Health Network, Veracyte, Genentech, Northwestern Mutual and 84 Lumber.
For more information, and to register, visit FightForAirClimb/pittsburgh.
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About the American Lung Association
The American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease through education, advocacy and research. The work of the American Lung Association is focused on four strategic imperatives: to defeat lung cancer; to champion clean air for all; to improve the quality of life for those with lung disease and their families; and to create a tobacco-free future. For more information about the American Lung Association, a holder of the coveted 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and a Gold-Level GuideStar Member, or to support the work it does, call 1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872) or visit: Lung.org.
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