Las Vegas’ Strat Complex Hosts Yearly Fundraiser for Lung Association

Hundreds of participants are expected to take part in Sunday’s climb-a-thon up the 108 floors.

Walkers need to make it up 1,455 steps to the top of the Las Vegas structure, some 800 feet above the ground. The ascent up the stairs takes place between 7 a.m. and noon on Sunday. It benefits the American Lung Association.

Some participants have been able to make the journey in less than seven minutes. The current record was set last year when Wai Ching Soh of the Tower Running Association reached the top stair in 6 minutes and 46 seconds.

Others are more likely to walk up the stairs at a more leisurely speed of about 40 minutes. Whatever their time, there is great anticipation over the philanthropic tradition.

Veteran climbers say it’s well worth the effort.

When you come out of that stairwell, you’re having trouble breathing, and you know what it’s like to fight for every breath,” Shannon Proctor, executive director of the American Lung Association of Nevada, told Las Vegas TV station KTNV last year.

Proctor’s own family members have battled lung disease. Her grandmother died from lung cancer, and both of her parents have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Participants include locals and visitors from many nations.

We can’t wait to welcome stair climbers from all over the world, as well as locals, who look forward to Scale the Strat each year,” Stephen Thayer, vice president and general manager of the Strat Hotel, Casino Tower, told Las Vegas TV station KLAS.

Online registration has closed. But in-person registration takes place between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturday and before 9 a.m. on Sunday.

Weekend registration is $50. There is a $200 fundraising minimum.

The Strat stair climb is affiliated with the American Lung Association’s Fight for Air Climb national events.

As of earlier this month, $215K has been pledged for this year s Strat event. The fundraising goal is more than $300K. Since it began in 2008, Scale the Strat has raised more than $2.8M.

The uses the money raised in Las Vegas and throughout the U.S. in similar events. The goal is to prevent disease and improve respiratory health through advocacy, patient education, and research efforts.

Many of those taking part will be on voluntary teams made of friends, relatives, or coworkers.

Those taking part can get a 35% discount on a Strat hotel room. They will also be given a $20 food and beverage limited credit. The event’s code is ALA24.