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 Dennis Cobarrubias with any questions.

Online registration prices are as follows:

• $35 thru November 5
• $50 - Day of Event
• There is no registration fee for volunteers.

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.

555 California is one of the tallest buildings in San Francisco, standing at 779 feet. Building Climbers will scale 52 stories or 1,197 steps.

Urban Climbers are challenged to complete as many of the 22 named Urban Staircases as they can, ranging anywhere from 50 steps to 383 steps per staircase. If you complete them all, it totals 4,176 steps.

The average time to climb the 555 California building is 20-25 minutes.

Urban Climbers create their own timeline to include as many city staircases as they’d like within the day of March 2, 2024.

Building Climbers: please arrive approximately 45 minutes before your wave time. You will receive your bib with attached timing chip, climber t-shirt, climber wrist band and 21+ band for post-climb beverages. This is also when you will receive your VIP wristband if you have achieved the fundraising requirement. Warm-ups will be led every 45 minutes.

Check-in opens at 9:30 AM, Opening Ceremonies start at 10:00 AM, and the first Building Climber wave takes off at 10:30 AM.

Wave times for Building Climbers will be posted on the website and shared via email the week before the event.

Urban Climbers can start climbing any time after the opening ceremonies. You can start at any of the named 22 staircases. There is no required route - you can climb as many as you want in whatever order you want.

All participants will check in at the 555 California Street plaza.

For the Urban Climb, the number of stairs/staircases that you complete is fully up to your and your team.

If you cannot complete the Building Climb, security will be stationed throughout the stairwells to assist you and escort you to the nearest elevator. Rest stops will be located on several floors if you need a break during the run.

The fundraising minimum is an amount that each participant is required to raise or pay themselves in order to participate in the event. The minimum fundraising requirement is $100 per person. Climbers have until March 2, 2024 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 - San Francisco
WeWork c/o American Lung Association in California
3001 Bishop Dr, Suite 300
San Ramon, CA 94583

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

All handwritten donations can be mailed to the address above. Please ensure that the climber’s name is listed on the check or separate sheet of paper so that the donation can go directly to the correct account. Climbers are encouraged to continue fundraising 30 days following the event.

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.