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FAQ
What is the 2012 Fight for Air/peak the plaza stairclimb?
Fight for Air Climbs are unique fundraising events for the American Lung Association. They usually happen in prominent skyscrapers, stadiums or arenas and involve climbing multiple steps. Sometimes called a "vertical road race", teams and individual participants can use the event as a fitness target, or as a race, with you challenging yourself or you racing against other people, or as a great way to be active and meet new friends. We know a lot about lung disease, but there is so much we don't know. Your participation will raise the funds necessary to provide life saving education, research and advocacy so we can beat lung disease and soon find a cure.
How do my donations help?
With the generous support of people like you, the American Lung Association in New Mexico saves lives by fighting for healthy lungs and healthy air. Today, our fight is more important than ever. Eighty-one cents of every dollar raised by our organization goes directly to education, research and advocacy.
Where is the event located?
The Albuquerque Plaza Building is located at 201 Third Street, NW, downtown between Tijeras and Copper. Enter at the door on the corner of Third and Tijeras, which takes you into the lobby of the Hyatt Hotel. Volunteers will direct you to the registration/sign in/cashier area.
How do I register? How do I create or join a team?
To register, click the link for “Join a Team”, “Start A Team” or “Join as an Individual” on the side bar on the left. You must pay in full with a credit card. Registration is $35 per participant. There is also a $100 required pledge minimum to participate. To join or register a team, the Team Captain must register FIRST to create the team. Once the Team Captain has started the team, other members are able to join for a $35 registration fee. Teams can have an unlimited number of members and they can be a mix of co-workers, friends, family and other random people you can get to say “yes”.
Why is there a pledge minimum?
The American Lung Association in New Mexico has a $100 pledge minimum for each participant. The 2012 Fight For Air/Peak the Plaza Stairclimb. As the largest fundraising event for the American Lung Association in New Mexico, the work we do here would not be possible without our participants! The money generated from our 2012 Fight For Air/Peak the Plaza Stairclimb helps us fight for cures, clean air and smoke-free kids. In order to raise more funds for lung health overall, this event is a fully pledge-based event. Since some of our participants in the past two years did not raise pledges or collected less than $100, changing the requirement gives us the best chance to improve our income. In the current economy, it is tough on everyone, but especially so for charities, so we need to grow our revenue if we are to meet our obligations for programs and research. Having a fundraising minimum does put the focus on our priority for the event – to raise money to facilitate our work and programs for lung health.
The requirement is $100 in collected pledges in by the day of the climb in addition to the registration fee of $35. Please call our office at 505-265-0732 if you have any further questions or want to talk about ways to reach this requirement. We are happy to help. Your efforts truly bring us one step and one breath closer to achieving our mission.
How do I get one of those nifty t-shirts?
Every participant receives a signature long-sleeve event t-shirt. You can pick up your t-shirt at the event once we verify that you have met your $100 pledge minimum. Volunteers also receive a special t-shirt to identify them as volunteer workers.
How do I track my pledges?
Every participant will have access to the ALANM online fundraising tracking tool as part of the email confirmation of your registrations. We have included a link to this tool. This is a user-friendly tool and a great way to gain support from your friends and family for this event. You can continue to collect pledges after the event through April 8, 2012 to be in competition for prizes based on individual and team dollars raised. With your help, American Lung Association in New Mexico can continue it’s Fight For Air!
Are donations tax deductible?
Yes all donations to this event are tax deductible. Donor receipts are available by request. Please make checks payable to the American Lung Association in New Mexico (ALANM).
Where and when can I turn in my collected pledges?
Pledges turned in online can be paid by cash or credit/debit card. Pledges collected via check and cash may be mailed ahead of time to our office at: American Lung Association in New Mexico, 5911 Jefferson Street, NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109. Call us at 505-265-0732 if you need directions.
Can I climb with my friends even though we aren’t on a team together?
Unless you create a team with your friends, we cannot guarantee that you will climb with your friends. As the event gets closer and teams begin to fill up, start times will be assigned within a 5 minute window. Every person climbing, whether as an individual or a team, will be assigned within a 5 minute window. Due to safety reasons, you cannot run or walk the stairs side by side. Due to the large number of participants, specific start time requests cannot be accommodated.
Is there a minimum age to participate?
All participants must be at least 14 years old to climb. The carrying of infants and small children up the stairs is prohibited.
Will there be a practice run or warm-up?
There will not be a practice run or warm-up exercise this year. We recommend practicing by climbing the stairs at Coronado Mall, Cottonwood Mall, your own office building, parking structures, etc.
What time should I be there?
Registration opens at 8:00am. You are more than welcome to come at that time, make sure you have your bib number and climb shirt, meet friends and share coffee in the Hyatt lobby, etc. The climb begins exactly at 10:00am, and you will be notified of your climbing time the day before the event via email.
How willI know my start time?
Every effort is made to ensure that start times are based on the order of registration. One of the benefits of forming a team is that all team members will climb in consecutive order regardless of the order in which entries are received. Start times are assigned by date of registration.
Where should I park?
Parking is free along Copper, Third Street, Central etc. You can also park in the Plaza/Hyatt parking lot located on Copper ½ block west of Third Street, the City parking lot accessed on either Roma (heading west) or Tijeras (heading east) or at the lot on 5th/Copper for a fee.
Where is the start line?
The start line is located on the first floor of the building, in the large hallway that separates the Hyatt from the Plaza Building.
What is a team captain?
The Team Captain is the team leader and it’s really an easy job. Team Captains gather together friends, family and co-workers and encourage them to participate in the team together. The Team Captains register the team FIRST and then the team captain helps to coordinate the online registration of the team (no worries we are here to help walk you through it). The Team Captain sets a goal for the team overall. Team Captains should encourage their team members to personalize their fundraising pages, send e-mails to other friends and family, make sure they hit their overall goals, show up to the event and have a great time. In short, its your job to rally your troops and get them motivated to Peak the Plaza and Fight For Air!
How far is the climb?
You will be climbing 19 floors, 38 flights and 428 steps. This is the tallest building in the State of New Mexico.
What do I bring with me on the day of the event?
Please bring any fundraising dollars you have collected and not yet turned in. Please bring a roster of your team members if you are the captain as well as how much money each person raised if not already online. Most importantly, please bring a positive attitude and lots of energy! Although it is February, please limit your actual check-in items to a minimum as space is limited. You may want to lock your purse/wallet in your car trunk but do remember to bring in your keys! We can check your jackets and shoes, but prefer not to check your valuables.
Are babies in backpacks or pets allowed?
While you are welcome to bring your baby with you if you are a spectator, you cannot climb with your baby in a baby backpack. No one under 14 is allowed to participate. Sorry but since this is an indoor event, pets are not allowed to participate with you.
How do I sign up?
You can register online by visiting www.peaktheplaza.com or you can call our office at 505-265-0732 and register over the phone during normal business hours. If you experience any problems in signing up, please call us and we will be happy to walk you through the process.
Where is packet pick-up?
You may pick up your packet at the event beginning at 8:00am. However, you are welcome to pick up your packet at the American Lung Office no later than Thursday, February 24th. The office will be closed on the 25th as we work on the setup at the Albuquerque Plaza Building. Packet pickup no later than 4:30pm on February 24th at:
5911 Jefferson Street, NE
Albuquerque, NM
8:30am to 4:30pm
How does the race work?
The timing is professionally done using specially designed computer chips (worn on your shoe or on your bib). Water stations are provided on the 11th and top floors, and medical personnel are stationed throughout the hallways. The stairwells will be very clean and air conditioning will blow down the stairwell so you don’t overheat.
What should I expect at the finish line?
At the finish line, you will be greeted with cheers and applause and immediately after you cross the timing Mat, volunteers will ask you to stop for a moment so your timing chip can be removed. You will then be taken to an area where you will receive your medal, hydrate, eat something if you want to, and have your photo taken. Rest, drink water and catch your breath!
Can my friends and family be at the finish line?
Due to limited space, family and friends are not able to be at the finish line. Your friends and family can wait for you to arrive downstairs via the elevator.
What if I miss my start time?
If you miss your start time there is a possibility that you can race after the last scheduled runner at the end of the race day. However, this cannot be guaranteed. Please plan to arrive at the Plaza Building at least one hour prior to your start time and be prepared to climb at the start line at least 20 minutes before your assigned time.
Can I get a refund if I am unable to attend the climb?
As a non-profit organization, the American Lung Association in New Mexico considers the registration fee a donation and we cannot offer refunds.
What should I wear to the climb?
It is suggested that you wear comfortable clothing appropriate for an intense cardio workout. Make sure you wear breathable fabric and proper shoes are essential. Running, walking or cross-training shoes are key to a successful climb. The stairwells are extremely well ventilated and may feel a little chilly when you start. However, you will warm up quickly and welcome the cool air as you climb to the top!
What are the instructions and restrictions for the race?
All climbers should start their climb at their assigned start time. Please proceed to the starting line 20 minutes prior to your designated time. Line monitors will assist you. Climbers will proceed in 10 second intervals. Climbing the stairwells multiple times or going down the stairs is prohibited for safety reasons. You must take the elevator down to return to the lobby level. You will not be permitted to exit the stairwell and walk into the building. You must exit at the provided exit points and with an escort. Emergency Response Team members will be on every landing of every floor in case a climber has a medical emergency. Handrails are on the right – pass only on the left. Please remember that the Albuquerque Plaza Building is a private office building and if you are unable to complete the climb, please ask the Emergency Response Team volunteer members for assistance to be properly escorted. You may not exit onto any floor without an appropriate escort!
Is water provided in the stairwells?
Although small cups of water are provided on the 11th floor outside of the stairwell, you cannot bring water into the stairwell for safety reasons. Please make sure to hydrate yourselves with water provided before you begin the climb.
Will there be medical staff and security available?
Medical personnel will be on-site for those who need any assistance during the event. An ambulance with Paramedic staff will also be on site. Any volunteers can assist you and put you in contact with medical personnel. Albuquerque Plaza staff (building managers and security officers) will be stationed throughout the building to ensure your safety. Staff, volunteers and Albuquerque Plaza security will have radio communications in case of an emergency. All security procedures must be followed. IF a medical staff member determines you should stop participation, you are absolutely required to stop, and not begin again unless authorized by the medical staff.
When will I know my finish time?
Lists of finish times will be posted on the website by the following morning. A website link that takes you to official finish times will be posted on www.peaktheplaza.com on the Sunday morning following the event.
When is the awards event held?
After the final collection of pledges occurs on March 31st, you will receive an email invitation, inviting you to the awards event. It’s a great time to reconnect with the great people you met at the climb. The awards event is held on a Thursday evening after work, and has been hosted by Scalo for the last two years.
What if I have more questions?
If you have thoroughly read this website info and still have questions, please feel free to call our offices at 505-265-0732.
