FAQ

You can register online by specifying your participation type. You can climb as a team, an individual, or join us as a volunteer. Then follow the prompts to complete your registration. Please feel free to reach out to event manager Catherine Widemire with any questions.

Online registration prices are as follows:

• Ultimate Climbers:
  $40 thru December 31, and then $50 after
• All other climbers:
  $25 thru December 31, and then $35 after

Registration fees are non-refundable. If you are unable to make the event, funds raised will support the American Lung Association’s mission. You may request to transfer your registration fee to the next event date, but please note that registration fees are non-refundable.

Please visit our Climb Shop to purchase these items.

There are 1,221 steps at Key Tower in this year’s climb.

The average time to climb the Key Tower is 20-30 minutes.

The Ultimate Climb is for the endurance athlete or anyone who wants to increase the difficulty of the Climb. You will get to tackle the stairs for ONE hour, during the power hour at 8 AM. Climb the 52 floors at Key Tower as many times as you can to complete this challenge.

The minimum required fundraising for this option is $250.

Firefighters wearing full turn out gear will compete for Fastest Firefighting Team and firefighter teams will compete for Top Fundraising Firefighter Team. Race to win bragging rights and the coveted firefighter traveling trophies and more! Learn more about the Firefighter Challenge.

Firefighters No Gear climb option:
We wanted to allow an alternative to firefighters looking to compete against other firefighters for our Firefighter Challenge while also allowing them to opt out of wearing gear that could create additional occupational exposures. Firefighters will climb in full gear and Firefighters - No Gear will compete without gear.

Firefighters - No Gear will compete in their own awards category alongside other First Responders for fairness purposes of the additional weight that gear gives. However, this is a great alternate to still compete to represent your fire department and raise critical awareness for the occupational exposure firefighters and first responders face!

Start times will be sent out the week of the event and will also be posted to our website. You will receive an email link to the start times. You will also receive a "wave number".

Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your start time. This gives you time to check your gear and warm up.

Event check-in and staging is in the Marriott main ballroom at the top of the escalators.

If for some reason you cannot complete the climb, someone at the nearest water station can assist you.

The minimum fundraising requirement is $100 per person. Climbers have until event day to raise the money. and if, for some reason they haven't met the minimum they will be asked to pay it before participating.

The registration fee does not count toward the fundraising minimum. But don’t worry, we are here to help, and we have plenty of fundraising ideas and tips to get you started!

Thanks to the generous support of people like you, the American Lung Association saves lives by fighting for healthy lungs and healthy air. Today, our fight is more important than ever, and 90 cents of every dollar raised by our organization goes directly to education, research and advocacy.

Donations can be sent to the American Lung Association office:

Fight For Air Climb - Cleveland
c/o American Lung Association in OH
5755 Granger Road, Suite 905
Independence OH 44131

If you are part of a team, please be sure to include your name and team name.

Many companies will offer to match an employee's contribution to a charitable organization. For questions regarding your company’s matching gift programs, please contact your employer’s HR department or community giving department.  You can also use our company search tool below to see if your employer offers a matching gift program, as well as find information on how to get started.

You can order a limited edition Fight For Air Climb alumni t-shirt, tank or long sleeve when you register. 

Climbing on a team is the best way to enjoy the event. The camaraderie of the shared endeavor is priceless, and it is way more fun reaching the top with friends and family cheering you on.

To form a team, choose Register as Team Captain. Make sure you have a team name in mind: honor a loved one, make it fun or name it after your business — the sky’s the limit!

After you register as a Team Captain, tell your team members to select Register as a Team Member and to search for your team name to join.

Team captains rally friends, family and co-workers to form a team to work together and fundraise for the Climb. Register as Team Captain today!

Yes! Local event managers are here to support Team Captains every step of the way. We also have several online tools for fundraising and team member recruitment. Visit our Fundraising page or contact your event manager.

No, the registration fee and fundraising minimum are per individual. There are no additional fees for creating a team.