FAQ

With safety being our number one priority, we will continue to monitor and follow current CDC guidelines as well as state/local guidelines.

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 contact Your Detroit Team with any questions or you need assistance resetting your password.

Registration is $35*. Please visit the Day of Event Details page to review the schedule of events and route details. If Climbing with others, registration before May 5 is encouraged to ensure you are scheduled in the same flight time.

Online pre-event registration will close May 11. Please note there is a $100 minimum fundraising requirement to participate in person, this year’s deadline is May 17. A limited number of Walk-On registrations will be available during Packet Pickup and on Event Day. The $50 walk-on registration fee and $100 Fundraising Minimum will be due at sign up.

*Registration fees and fundraising donations are non-refundable. If you are unable to make the event, funds raised will support the American Lung Association’s mission. The Ultimate Climber Power Hour option is limited and has a $50 registration fee and features an increased fundraising challenge with a $250 fundraising minimum. due on May 11. Walk-on registrations will not be available for the Ultimate Climber option.

Climb Detroit is looking forward to returning to Comerica Park this May! For those who participated last year, all routes are planned to remain the same. To view route maps, tentative schedule of events and additional route information, checkout the Climb Detroit Event Overview.

• Ultimate Climber: Held as a Pre-Event this year, The Ultimate Climber challenge will be a “Power Hour,” same route as last year. You will race the clock and be challenged to see how many laps of the 300 Level you can complete in just one hour. Each lap covers 1,472 stairs.
• First Responder and Firefighters: Participants will weave up and down the entire 300 and 200 Levels, covering an estimated 2,103 stairs which equates to about three-quarters of a mile.
• Climber and Elite Climber: Participants will weave up and down the entire Lowel Level covering 1,316 stairs which equates to a little over a half of mile. Elite Climbers are scheduled in a separate flight time and will follow the same route as Climbers.

That’s a great question! We would anticipate the average time range for this year’s Stadium Climber route will fall between 18 to 28 minutes and for Firefighters climbing in full gear the average time range will fall between 24 to 35 minutes.

Start times will be assigned no later than the Wednesday before the event and will be posted online by 2PM. You will receive an emailed link to flight times. If hoping to Climb with others, please be sure to have your team formed by May 1 to ensure you all receive the same flight time. Please note all participant types are climbing at different times throughout the day and flight times may be hours apart.

Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your start time. This gives you time to get through security and warm up. Please refer to the Comerica Park security guidelines for current information on stadium regulations.

All Firefighter Challenge participants are timed during their climb at Comerica Park and are to wear full structural firefighting personal protective equipment which meets current NFPA standards. This includes boots, turnout coat with pant liners, helmet, gloves, and SCBA harness with air cylinder. SCBA facepieces and hoods do not need to be worn. Firefighters will not be on air. SCBA tanks are to be full. No axes or halligans. Turnout gear and tanks must be clean, and gear will be inspected before your flight time. All firefighter participants competing in the Challenge must meet the gear requirements and be retired from or current firefighter who is volunteer, part-time or full-time at their department. Stay tuned for award information for our annual Firefighter Challenge.

Please stay tuned for instructions on where to go upon arrival and other Climb Day details. All participants will receive an Event Week Guide to ensure they have everything they need to have the best Climb experience.

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

The Climb Detroit staff, and volunteer ambassadors host official practice climbs throughout the season. These are announced via email to registered participants and in our local Facebook group.

Join and upcoming Practice Climb at the American Lung Association office building in Southfield:

• Thursday, March 9
• Monday, March 27
• Wednesday, April 12
• Monday, May 8

For details and to sign up click here.

To gear up for the event, many of our participants utilize the stair climber at their local fitness center and take advantage or local office buildings and parking garages they may have access too. Additionally, the Climb Detroit Ambassadors have also prepared this outdoor Practice Climb Location Recommendations Guide to support your training goals.

For the safety and fairness to all registered participants, Climbers and Elite Climbers will only be permitted to Climb one time. Looking for more of a challenging Climb? Consider the Ultimate Climb and challenge the clock to see how many laps of the 300 level you can complete during the Power Hour event. Learn more about this opportunity and all events in the 2023 Climb Detroit Event Overview.

Ultimate Climbers, First Responders and Firefighters will have the opportunity to climb the Lower Level as part of a special fundraising incentive. This is a great option for those hoping to join to join their teammates or tackle the Lower Level later in the event day. To participate in this limited opportunity, you will need to indicate your interest by May 10 and meet the fundraising requirements by the May 17 fundraising minimum deadline. To learn more or sign up, please click here.

Yes, this event takes numerous hardworking and energetic volunteers to make every step count! Volunteers can register as individuals, join an existing team, or register as a group by forming a team.

To sign up, register online and then select team member or individual and then on the next screen, you’ll select VOLUNTEER as your participant type.

There are several pre-event and event day opportunities that are a good fit for both individuals and groups, including Climbers who would like to get more involved. Student and other youth volunteers are also welcomed to volunteer with an adult. To learn more or for additional questions, please contact our Special Events staff.

The minimum fundraising requirement is $100 per person. Climbers have until the May 17 to reach their fundraising minimum. Packet Pickup and event participation will only be available for those who met the minimum by the deadline.

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
c/o American Lung Association in MI
26555 Evergreen Road, Suite 540
Southfield, MI 48076

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 or in the online store. Additional merchandise will be available on Event Day.

Are you participating in honor of someone? Or would you like to share a special message with an event participant? Signs can be purchased during the registration process or in the online store. Beginning in mid-February, purchasers will receive an email with instructions on how to submit the information for the Route Sign(s). Before you place your order, don’t forget that 2023 VIP participants also qualify for special Route Sign discounts.

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. Volunteers can also join an existing team of Climbers or form their own team if they are volunteer as part of a group.

Already registered? Contact us and we’ll be happy to connect you all under one team.

Forming a team will also help to schedule you those you wish to climb with in the same flight time. It is recommended that teams are established by May 5 to aid in scheduling. Please note that each participant type is scheduled at a different time throughout the day and flight times may be hours apart.

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.