American Lung Association - Fighting for Air

Event Information

 EVENT DAY INFORMATION 

 Saturday, March 10, 2012
LOCATION:  One HSBC Center, Buffalo, NY 14203
HOW HIGH IS THE CLIMB: 40 Stories
REGISTRATION FEE: $25
FUNDRAISING REQUIREMENT: $100
CHECK-IN:    Begins at 9:00 am
EVENT BEGINS:  10:00 am - first climber begins

Getting to One HSBC CENTER
One HSBC Center is in downtown Buffalo immediately north of First Niagara Center, home of the Buffalo Sabres.  If you are driving, there are numerous parking lots in the area. The best option for parking will be in the free underground garage at One HSBC Center. There will be volunteers at building entrances in the garage to help participants get to the lobby. If you are walking there are entrances on both the North and South sides of the building. The North side of the building, facing downtown, has escalators that will take you into the lobby of the building. The South side of the building (facing First Niagara Center) has elevators that will take you to the lobby of the building.
 
  
Check-in
Participant Check-in will begin at 9:00am in the building lobby.  Climbers are asked to check in at least 30 minutes before their scheduled start time which will be found here on Thursday, March 8th, and will be emailed to all registrants. 

At check-in you will receive a packet that includes your bib number, timing chip and instructions for proper chip use.  You may also turn in any checks or cash that you have received

Appropriate Attire
It is suggested that climbers wear comfortable clothing appropriate for a cardio workout. The stairwells are indoors and may be warm (i.e. dress light).

Bag Check
There will be a bag check area in the lobby of One HSBC Center.  You will need to secure the tear tag (attached to your bib number) to your bag.  Bags will be continually monitored by Fight for Air Climb volunteers and staff, but please do not bring valuables to the event.

Bib Numbers
It is required that you securely attach your bib number to the front of your shirt with the safety pins provided at the check-in table. All climbers must display their bib number during the event. Your bib number also serves as your entry pass to receive your t-shirt.

Tips to have your time accurately recorded:
• Race bib is clearly visible on the front of the torso
• Race bib is unaltered and unmodified (do not fold or wrinkle)
• Race bib is pinned in all four corners
• Race bib is not covered (jackets, shirts, etc.)

Timing Chip
The timing chip will be distributed in your check-in packet. The timing chip is to be worn around your right wrist. DO NOT REMOVE THE CHIP FROM THE BAND.  Participants who climb without a timing chip will not register an official time. Volunteers will collect timing chips just after you cross the finish line at the top of One Penn Plaza.  Please ensure that you do not leave the event with your timing chip.

Start Times
The Fight for Air Climb begins at 10:00am. Climbers will start in 30 second intervals.  The first group will be elite climbers, then all teams in alphabetical order, followed by all individual registrants, and finishing with all firefighters.  Start times can be found here when they become available on Thursday, March 8th.  Please make sure you are present at least 30 minutes before your assigned start time so that you can start as assigned. 

The Course
One HSBC Center is 529 feet high and 40 stories tall.  The Climb will be 38 floors via stairs that go in a clockwise direction, 24 steps between floors.  On the outside wall the handrail is 35 inches high. The inside is open and the handrail is 32 ½ inches high (both measured vertically up from the center of the tread). There are 41 ¼ inches between the rails. The tread is 42 inches wide. The average rise is 7 ½ inches high. The tread depth is 10 ½ inches.

The floors are well numbered and the 28th floor will have a rest stop and water available.  The 38th and final floor will also have water available. Volunteer stairwell monitors will be stationed along the way to assist if needed.

Climb Instructions
Every person climbing, whether registered as an individual or on a team, will start individually at 15 second intervals.  Climbers will stage in the lobby area in numerical order by bib number.  Volunteers will be on hand to assist you.  Faster climbers should let slower climbers know when they are passing.  A common courtesy would then be for the slower climber to move to the outside and let the faster climber pass on the inside.  Please climb single file to allow people to pass easily.  You may take as much time as you wish—no need to go faster than you’re comfortable!  When you finish, the chip will record your official time.  If you cannot complete the climb, volunteers will be stationed throughout the stairwells to assist you.  When you have reached the top, volunteers will remove your timing chip, and you may get a drink and take the elevator down to the lobby and to get your personal belongings and then go to the after party at the Pearl Street Grill & Brewery.

Medical
Medical staff will be on-site for those who may need any assistance throughout the event.  In case of an emergency, contact the closest volunteer to reach the emergency medical personnel.

Water Stations
Water stations and rest stops will be available on the 28th floor and at the finish line.  Please feel free to stop and rest on the landing or at the water station. The stairwell is well-ventilated, creating more than adequate clean air circulation for this event. Volunteer stairwell monitors will be stationed along the way to assist if needed.

Water is NOT allowed in the stairwell. There is a water station along the way.  This rule is for your safety and the safety of other climbers. We do not want anyone slipping on a water spill.

Restrooms
Public restrooms are located in the basement level, 1B, of One HSBC Center. 

Results
Official event times for every participant will be available at our afterparty site, The Pearl Street Bar and Grill, and will be posted on the Fight for Air Climb website on Monday, March 12th.

Post-Event /Awards Ceremony
The awards ceremony will take place at The Pearl Street Bar and Grill following the event, located immediately west of the Fight for Air Climb location.  The Pearl Street Bar and Grill will open at 11:00 am and will provide soft drinks, water, coffee and appetizers. A special menu will be available from which to purchase food following the after party. The presentation of awards will begin approximately one hour after the last climber finishes (approximately at 1 pm).

Individual awards will be handed out for the top overall male and female climbers, the top three men and women in each age category:  18 and Under, 19-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60+, and fastest firefighter.  Team Challenge awards for Fastest Team (3 individuals), Fastest Fire Department Team (5 individuals), and Largest Team will also be presented at this time.  

FUNDRAISING & PRIZES

Fundraising Minimum Commitment
As a condition of participating in the Fight for Air Climb, you agreed to pay a $25 registration fee and meet the a $100 fundraising minimum.

Please note that the $25 registration fee does not count toward your fundraising total or incentive prize.
 
Fundraising Basics
We encourage you to use the online fundraising tools available on our website. During the online registration process you chose a username and password that will give you access to the participant center,  which offers user-friendly tools to gain support from you friends, family and co-workers.

Donation Options
Most donations will be paid securely by credit card online through your personal. However, you can collect cash or check donations directly from your supporters. Please send in any offline donations as soon as you receive them. Please indicate that the funds are for the Fight for Air Climb and be sure to include your name or a team name so that we know who should receive credit for the donations. All donations are tax deductible.

We will be accepting cash, checks, and all major credit cards at check-in. 

You may continue fundraising after the event day. In fact, we encourage you to let everyone know what a wonderful time you had at the Fight for Air Climb and that you are continuing your fundraising in the weeks following the event.

Donations can be mailed or delivered to:
American Lung Association of New York, Attn: Fight for Air Climb
1595 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, New York 14620
ALA’s Tax ID# 26-2818624

Incentive Prizes
All climbers who have raised $500 or more are eligible to earn a premium performance dry wick long sleeve shirt.  You may claim your incentive at registration.  Please note that the $25 registration fee does not count toward your fundraising total or incentive prize.

The premium performance dry wick long sleeve shirt can be earned by fundraising through 5pm on Friday, March 23rd.   Participants who qualify after the event will be mailed their incentive

If you wish that 100% of your fundraising total be applied to the American Lung Association’s programs and services, you may choose NOT to redeem your incentive.

All top individual and team fundraising awards will be presented after the March 23rd  fundraising deadline.

For more information, please contact
Jaime Anderson at buffaloclimb@alany.org  or at (585) 442-4260 ext. 101