American Lung Association’s 14th Annual Fight For Air Climb Pittsburgh Goes Virtual

Fight For Air Climb participants will undertake unique individualized exercise challenges

                  WHAT:    American Lung Association’s Virtual Fight For Air Climb Pittsburgh
WHEN:    May 16-June 30, 2020
WHERE:  In safe locations chosen by the participants                
HOW:      Registration is $30/participant at fightforairclimb.org/pittsburgh

For the first time in its 14 year history, the Fight For Air Climb Pittsburgh 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 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state recommended guidelines, all while sharing their success with teams and the community online and in social media.  Effective immediately, participants from throughout the Pittsburgh area —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 Pittsburgh is a beloved event for our team and for many in the greater Pittsburgh 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 Alison Yazer, executive director for the American Lung Association in Pittsburgh. “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.”

The annual Fight For Air Climb was scheduled for June 20, 2020. As a virtual event, organizers have developed new ways for people to participate virtually now through June 30, starting with downloading the free Strava app and joining the Fight For Air Climb Pittsburgh Strava 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 Strava leaderboard, retaining a sense of friendly competition for which the event is often known.

Participants can choose a virtual bib number and download printable certificate upon event completion. A list of potential local trails and parks in around the Pittsburgh area is available below. Every walker is encouraged to check local park openings and maintain social distancing. You can also log in your distance at home by climbing a staircase, using the treadmill or taking a walk around the neighborhood. Post your pictures and videos on social media using #fightforairclimb, #everystepcounts, #pittsburghclimb, and #climbagainstcovid.

Parks/Trails to Consider:

• Greater Pittsburgh Area: Riverwalk Point State Park Waterfront, Pittsburgh Northside History Urban Hike, Southside Trail, Shenley Park Double Loop.
• Pittsburgh: Hollow Oak Loop, Three Rivers Heritage Trail, Monongahela South Shore, Monroeville Community Park West Trail, Rachel Carson Trail North Park Segment, North Shore Riverfront Trail.

The Fight For Air Climb Pittsburgh regularly attracts over 350 people to walk or run up the 36 flights of stairs, or 665 steps, to the top of the JLL Center at Tower Two-Sixty. Climbers include firefighters from 13 area fire departments who climb during the “Firefighter Challenge” wearing full firefighter gear, weighing up to 50 lbs. The Fight For Air Climb Pittsburgh is one of a series of American Lung Association signature fundraising events across the country, all of which have now gone virtual due to COVID-19 safety precautions.  

Registration for the virtual event is $30 and participants are asked to raise $100 or more. Participants raising over $100 may be eligible for a t-shirt, social media mentions and more. The event aims to raise over $110,000 for the Lung Association’s mission, to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease, including our work to address COVID-19.

Fight For Air Climb Pittsburgh sponsors are MSA Safety, Millcraft Investments, Piatt Sotheby’s International Realty, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, Emerson, Highmark Health & Allegheny Health Network, JKS Financial, Theravance Biopharma, Revel & Roost, and the Hilton Garden Inn Pittsburgh Downtown.  

For more information on the Pittsburgh Fight For Air Climb visit fightforairclimb.org/pittsburgh or contact Steve Gillis, [email protected], 412-430-3061. For more information on the American Lung Association’s work on COVID-19, and the COVID-19 Action Initiative, visit Lung.org/covid19.   

For media interested in speaking with a lung health export, lung champion or scheduling an interview and requesting images, contact Valerie Gleason at [email protected] or 717-971-1123.