Introducing the Elite Climber Team Challenge
Get ready to elevate your fitness journey to new heights with our exciting new Climb option the Elite Climber Team Challenge! We're thrilled to present an exclusive opportunity for fitness enthusiasts to challenge themselves. You will complete the Elite Power Hour course which will push you to your limits but with the new Team Challenge component, you will be supported and encouraged every step of the way! Beyond personal physical accomplishment, this event encourages participants to step up for a greater cause promoting clean air and lung health. Join us in working towards a world free of lung disease while pushing your physical boundaries.
Here are the key features you can expect from the Elite Climber Team Challenge:
- Join a Team Led by a Top-Ranked Coach: Athletes have the chance to be part of a dynamic team, receiving coaching from the best in the field. Upon registration, participants will be assigned to a team led by a top-ranked stair climber coach. This not only adds a layer of camaraderie to the challenge but also guarantees a high level of expertise and motivation throughout your training journey.
- Top-Ranked Stair Climber Coaches: Imagine being coached by the very best stair climbers in the world. This event provides participants with the exclusive opportunity to be guided by top-ranked stair climbers, ensuring that you receive personalized tips and techniques to enhance your performance.
- Training Tips from the Pros: Receive invaluable insights and training tips directly from the top-ranked stair climbers themselves. Benefit from their years of experience as they share strategies to conquer the Elite Power Hour Course at Leadership Square on March 9th.
- Elite Power Hour Course: On March 9th, put your training to the test by conquering the Elite Power Hour Course at the iconic Leadership Square. You will climb up and down the stairs in the North and South towers for 60 consecutive minutes. This challenging course will push your physical and mental limits, making for an unforgettable athletic experience.
- Elite Team Challenge Awards: The Elite Team with the fastest overall team time will not only earn bragging rights but also be awarded exclusive Elite Team Challenge winner medals. Additionally, the winning team’s coach will proudly take possession of the Elite Team Challenge traveling trophy.
Meet The Coaches
Troy Alston
Currently ranked 9th in the US & 16th in the World
Troy Alston's Story
I travel the world racing up the shortest and tallest buildings in a sport called Towerrunning (aka competitive stair climbing). Since my start in the sport (October 9, 2010) I have raced around the country and world setting several course records along the way.
This sport has taught me that hard work pays off at some point in life (maybe not when you want it to, but eventually). Highlights of my accomplishments are below:
- First African American to particpate in the sport of competitive stair climbing at the highest level(s)
- Recieved the “Key to the City” in Niagara Falls, Canada in 2017
- Won every American Lung Association stair climbing event in Florida (a minimum of three times each)
- Set every American Lung Association and Cystic Fibrosis stair climb course record in Florida
- Currently hold 18 out of 19 stair climb course records for Florida climbs
- Currently ranked 9th in the U.S.
- Ranked 16th in the World (2023)
- Ranked 12th in the World (2022)
- Ranked 4th in the United States (2017)
- Finished 6th at US Championships (2016)
- Finished 10th Overall at Empire State Building Run-Up (2016)
Victoria Eller
OKC’s reigning Overall Power Hour Champ
Victoria Eller's Story
I fell in love with running when I was in middle school after watching my mom run a 5K and later joining the Cross-Country team at school as a backup plan after not making the volleyball team. Who knew that a backup plan would lead to a lifelong love of running and exercise! I ran my first half marathon in high school and have run a several more over the years, in addition to a full marathon.
In 2017 I saw an advertisement for a local arena challenge that piqued my interest (or should I say peaked my interest, pun intended!). It was after that event that another elite climber, Duane Friesen, told me about the American Lung Association Climb! My Grandma Melba passed away from lung cancer when I was just seven years old, and I couldn't imagine a better way to honor her memory.
I have participated in the OKC climb for four years now and claimed the title of Overall Power Hour champion for three of those four years! It truly is the people that keep me coming back year after year. No matter your pace, everyone is so friendly, supportive, and there is power in coming together to support a cause we all care about.
I find that stair climbing is a great way to improve our overall physical fitness and is truly a different challenge than running in a flat, straight line. Over the years I have encountered several injuries, namely a femoral neck stress fracture in my hip, that left me on crutches for 12 weeks and sidelined for nearly six months. That experience taught me to truly appreciate my body's ability to move, whatever that may look like.
Most of the climbs I have participated in have been in arenas or stadiums, so I am excited to tackle a different beast, the tower climb, this year!
Guy Nembhard
OKC’s reigning Male Power Hour Winner
Guy Nembhard's Story
Early in life my main focus was all academics and using occasional sports and running to just stay in shape and keep my brain fresh.
When my parents divorced at around 15 years of age, I needed an increased outlet to take out my anger and frustration. Sports became that outlet… The anger that I had made me a ferocious competitor and the attention to detail that I learned from academics gave me an advantage as I learned to be fundamentally strong early in my development.
Fast forward some years… I get an athletic scholarship to college for basketball and volleyball… win a club volleyball National championship, almost win another at the Division 1 level… then get invited to join the US Volleyball National team. Crazy meteoric rise from really out of nowhere. I was able to turn a negative into something that eventually allowed me to travel and play all over the world.
Running and endurance sports have been in the family. My step-grandfather ran innumerable marathons until his mid to late 60s before he had to give it up due to knee issues. He inspired me to try… one of my first experiences as a term was running an ultra marathon (50+ miles) with no training. I completed it, but couldn’t walk for a week. I learned then that one must train and be prepared for the rigors of what these type of challenges bring.
Over the last couple of years I’ve been working very closely with Terri and her team at the ALA to warm up and get the Climb Club members ready to be their best. It has been one of the best decisions in my life… The people are so open to suggested and motivated to be their best and do what they can to get better each and every time we meet. I’ve used this opportunity to train and prepare as well. I was fortunate to be last year’s Power Hour Champion.
All this to say… just because life may give you lemons, you can turn it in to lemonade by going through the squeeze of the challenge and the sugar of support from others that are placed in your path.
Come on out!! Let’s do this together!!! Anything is possible… one step at a time!!!
Let’s go!!
Debbie Officer
Currently ranked 8th in the US
Debbie Officer's Story
I am currently nationally ranked in 8th place with Towerrunning USA. I am also an avid trail and mountain racer. I am a personal trainer, group fitness instructor and nutritional coach. When I am not training and traveling for races I am serving in my church, taking care of my family of which I have five children, one amazing husband and I am also grandma to my three year-old granddaughter who also lives with us.
My first tower race was the Space Needle in 2017. Since then I have raced all over the nation and also internationally.
I consider it an honor to use my God-given talents to the best of my ability and I love the fact that most of these races are connected to amazing fundraising opportunities. I believe we are blessed to be a blessing. Every race I look for the wins that go beyond a medal or an award. The people I meet and the unexpected encounters are what fuel my passion to race.
Mark Ewell
Currently ranked #1 in the U.S.
Mark Ewell's Story
I started running in high school, as a late entry to the Cross Country team my sophomore year. I never ran varsity, and with a high school PR of 20:02 was comfortably two minutes behind the slowest varsity runners. After high school, I continued running, doing some local races and series until I decided I didn't enjoy the longer distances, and decided to focus on the 5k. At the age of 25 I achieved a lifetime PR of 17:08, which would occasionally get me an age group award and was still comfortably two minutes behind the fastest runners. Also, that year, in 1998, I ran my first stair climb in Denver - I did quite well, and beat a guy I have never beaten in a 5k. Then, ten years later, I did another stair climb in Denver, placing in the top three. I did that Denver climb in 2010, 2012, and 2014, doing well each year but never considering anything more until meeting a guy at the 2014 climb who did stair climbs all around the country.
In 2015, I started traveling to do stair climbs, and found myself pretty good at it! From 2016 on I have competed around the country and around the world, including the last World Championships in 2018. I'll be turning 51 on March 10th, the day after this race, and am still climbing strong. There are many other very competitive stair climbers in their 40s, 50s, and even 60s. They inspire me, and I hope my late success inspires other adult athletes to keep competing as they age.
Rankings:
- Current US #1
- TowerRunning USA National Champion 2023
- 2023 US #1
- 2023 World #13
- 2022 US #1
- 2018 winner of the Triple Dog Dare race up and down all three buildings
- Ranked top ten in the US from 2016 to present
If you’d like to participate in the Elite Climber Team Challenge,
please email Felicia.Stroud@lung.org today!