American Lung Association’s 15th Annual Fight For Air Climb Hartford Goes Virtual

For the first time in its 15 year history, the Fight For Air Climb Hartford, hosted by the American Lung Association, will be held virtually. By shifting from a physical event to one held online, the organization will reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 and remain in observance of Center for Disease Control (CDC) and state recommended guidelines. Effective immediately, participants from throughout Hartford —and around the country—will be able to register, track their own progress and complete goals for the Fight For Air Climb while remaining active within their own home or community.

“The Fight For Air Climb Hartford is a beloved event for our team and for many in the greater Connecticut community—but our top priority is always the health of our participants, volunteers and staff. For that reason, we’ve made the difficult decision to shift this year’s event to a virtual one,” said Development Director for the American Lung Association in Connecticut Jeremy McDonald. “While COVID-19 may have changed our event plan, it has also strengthened our resolve to act as a community and defend the right and ability for everyone to breathe freely. We thank our participants and lung health community for working with us as committed partners in the effort to defeat COVID-19 and helping to fund vital lung health research that saves lives.”

As a virtual event, the Fight For Air Climb invites people to participate now through June 30, by downloading the free Strava app and joining the Fight For Air Climb Hartford Club. Participants are asked to stay active and choose a challenge including climbing, running, walking or riding. Their tracked activity will correspond with the official online leaderboard, retaining a sense of friendly competition for which the event is often known. All are welcome to use #fightforairclimb, #everystepcounts and #hartfordclimb to join in on social media.

By joining the Fight For Air Climb Hartford Club on Strava, participants can choose a virtual bib number, and will receive a printable certificate upon completion. The Lung Association has also provided a list of potential local trails and parks to utilize, pending state and local guidelines on public spaces and crowds.

The annual Fight For Air Climb was originally scheduled for April 18th at Hartford 21. The event regularly attracts over 500 people to walk or run up the 34 flights of stairs, or 688 steps, to the top of the local skyscraper. Climbers include more than 150 firefighters from 30 area fire departments who climb during the “Firefighter Challenge” wearing full firefighter gear, weighing up to 50 lbs. The Fight For Air Climb Hartford is of a series of American Lung Association signature fundraising events across the country, that have now gone virtual due to COVID-19 safety precautions.  

Registration for the virtual event is $10. Participants raising over $100 may be eligible for a t-shirt, incentive prize, social media mentions and more. The event aims to raise over $160,000 for the Lung Association’s mission, to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease, as well as its new $25 million COVID-19 Action Initiative, to end COVID-19 and help prevent future respiratory virus pandemics. Those who registered for the event prior to the virtual announcement will get complimentary registration for the 2021 Climb.

The Fight For Air Climb Hartford is locally sponsored by UCONN Health, Apple Rehab, Kia of East Hartford, Hospital For Special Care, Petit Family Foundation.

For more information on the Hartford Fight For Air Climb visit FightForAirClimb.org/Hartford. For more information on the American Lung Association’s work on COVID-19, and the COVID-19 Action Initiative, visit Lung.org/covid19.