Hustle Chicago Event Details

To ensure the safety of all climbers, volunteers, and building staff, we continue to follow all federal, local, and state public health guidelines around COVID-19. We are taking additional precautions as we return to an indoor venue, including:

• Limited event capacity to allow proper social distancing. Guests will also not be allowed in 360 CHICAGO to allow further social distancing.
• Increased time between climber starts to reduce congestion in stairwells.
• Regarding masks, RHA will follow any local, state, federal, or venue protocols required at the time of the event. There is currently no mask requirement for indoor events, and they will not be required. Participants, volunteers, sponsors, and guests are encouraged to wear a mask in areas at the event where large numbers of people gather – such as the start line, After Party, etc.

We strongly urge all participants, volunteers, sponsors and staff to receive all of the available vaccinations against COVID-19.

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There are two climb options:

• FULL CLIMB SPONSORED BY OMRON: 94 FLOORS – 1,632 STEPS
• HALF CLIMB: 42 FLOORS – 675 STEPS

START TIMES

All Hustle participants are assigned to a 15-minute climb wave and start their individual stair climb within that window.

The Full Climb sponsored by Omron starts at 7:00 a.m. with waves typically scheduled through 3:00 pm.  Please note that for health and safety, we schedule participants throughout that timeframe so your specific climb time could fall anywhere in that range.

The Half Climb begins at 8:00 a.m. with waves typically concluding by 10:00 a.m.

ABOUT THE STAIRS

875 N. Michigan stairwells turn to the left. The number of steps and the height of individual stairs varies from floor to floor. While climbing, please pass on the right side of the stairwell.

We provide water bottles in the concourse area and throughout the stairwells. Medical staff are stationed throughout the stairwells and at the 360 CHICAGO Finish Line if you need assistance.

Only registered participants, staff, and volunteers are allowed in the stairwells. We do not permit the carrying of infants or small children up the stairs.

FULL CLIMB FINISH LINE: 360 CHICAGO

Soaring 1,000 feet over legendary Michigan Avenue is one of the city’s most unique attractions – 360 CHICAGO. Located on the 94th floor, 360 CHICAGO offers breathtaking views of Chicago’s skyline, lakefront, and four neighboring states.

The Full Climb sponsored by Omron ends in 360 CHICAGO. The Half Climb ends on the 42nd floor, and climbers are invited to visit 360 CHICAGO after their climb. To allow for social distancing, guests will not be allowed at 360 CHICAGO this year. We invite guests to instead celebrate with their climbers at the After Party across the street at Hilton Chicago Magnificent Mile Suites.

Water and light snacks are provided to climbers at the finish line. You are welcome to cool down as long as you like while enjoying the view.

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All climbers are required to pay a climb fee and an upfront fundraising donation to cover their minimum requirement. You can find details of all registration costs below.

Please note, all Hustle Chicago® stair climb registration fees are non-refundable.

Why become a Lung Health Champion?

Why become a team captain?

Ready to register? Click here to get started!

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Even if you cannot make the in-person climb, you can still help people living with asthma, COPD, lung cancer, COVID-19 and other lung diseases. Sign up for the Hustle Virtual Climb!

Make the fitness challenge a fun part of the virtual experience. Climb on your own in the gym, your basement, or your building’s stairwell. However, there is no requirement to prove you’ve climbed 94 flights on your own. Your key role as a virtual climber is making a difference through fundraising.

You’ll have full access to the RHA Fundraising Toolkit and be able to create a personal fundraising page to help with your efforts. You can qualify for fundraising contests, incentive prizes, and will receive a Virtual Goody Bag on event day! Virtual climbers also receive access to Active Impact, a platform that allows you to track your activity to help you train or catalogue your virtual

Virtual climb fee is $10 and does not require any minimum fundraising.

Virtual climbers who raise $100 or more will receive a Hustle Chicago t-shirt, bib, and commemorative medal.

Ready to register? Click here to get started!

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Family members, friends, and co-workers can join you to train and conquer Hustle Chicago stair climb as a team. When you climb as a team – whether 2 or 22 – you also ensure you’ll be assigned during the same climb time and can celebrate at the top together!

Learn more about forming a team here.

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Build team camaraderie while showcasing your company’s commitment to physical wellness, community involvement, and corporate philanthropy.

Learn more about forming a team with your company here.

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Lung Health Champions, who commit to raising $1,000 to support RHA’s programs, receive several benefits including:

• Early registration. Beat the rush of general registration and secure your spot. Lung Health Champion registration opens on October 14.
• Premium Hustle Chicago® stair climb shirt.
• Your choice of start times. Want to climb early? Need time to get downtown? Provide your preferred start times during registration and we will do our best to accommodate your request. Please note: if you are climbing with a team, you may not receive your first choice of climb time.
• Invitation to a VIP reception Hustle weekend.
• An incentive prize that may include apparel or an accessory.
• Personal fundraising coach. Your coach will help you create a plan to reach your $1,000 fundraising goal and provide support along the way.

Learn more about becoming a Lung Health Champion here.

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We offer two other divisions to recognize the unique interests and needs of climbers. Explore these options below and selection your division of choice when registering.

ELITE CLIMB

If you’re among the fastest on two feet, you may be eligible to join the Elite Climb.

The first place male and first place female receive a complimentary registration for themselves and the first spots in the following year’s Elite Climb. The Elite Climb will begin at 7:00 a.m. on event day.

Qualifying criteria to be considered for the Elite Climb:

• Results must be from a comparable stair climb, at least 50 floors+, such as:
  • Canada Life CN Tower Climb for WWF (Toronto, Canada)
  • Empire State Building Run-Up (New York, NY)
  • Hustle Chicago® stair climb (Chicago, IL)
  • Step Up for Kids (Chicago, IL)
  • SkyRise Chicago (Chicago, IL)
• If you have competed in a comparable climb (greater than 50 floors) that is not listed above, please include the details of that climb (web address and/or contact information of the race organizers.)
• You must have placed in the overall top 25 finishers, male or female.
• Your submitted time must be within the last five years.

How to apply:

Register as an individual for the 94-floor climb and pay the entry fee.  
Please note: it is not possible to be on a team and participate in the Elite Climb.

Submit your results via: a screen shot, an attached finisher’s certificate, an attached print out from an online results page (please highlight or circle your name and time), or a link to your individual race results (please ensure your name and results are the ONLY ones appearing on the page).

After registering please submit your qualifying results to hustle@resphealth.org with the subject “Elite Climb Application.” Qualifying results must be submitted by December 31.

All applicants will be notified in mid-January if they have been accepted into the Elite Climb.

FIREFIGHTERS CLIMB

Firefighters from across the country join their Chicago-area brethren at Hustle Chicago to honor the firefighters who gave their lives at the World Trade Center on 9/11.

What time do I climb on event day?

All firefighters will climb together at a time to be determined. If you are climbing with your firehouse team, see your team captain for information and materials before the event. If you are climbing with the Firefighters for New York team, the team captain will contact you with event day information.

What gear can I wear to climb?

Only firefighter helmets and boots are allowed. No gear bags, tanks, hoses, or masks allowed. No turn out gear. All firefighters will receive event t-shirts. We encourage you to wear it, or wear your firehouse shirts.

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Climbers and guests are invited to attend the Hustle Chicago After Party, hosted by the Hilton Chicago Magnificent Mile Suites just around the corner from 875 N. Michigan Ave. Join other climbers to celebrate with food, drinks, photo ops, and more in a party atmosphere!

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