This Weekend: Climb 108 Floors to the Top of The Strat

It takes 1,455 steps to make it to the top. That’s really not too many. (Image: courtesy of American Lung Association)

LAS VEGAS (Casinos.com) — Tomorrow morning, I’ll once again be climbing the inside of the tower at The Strat — all 108 floors of it — as part of the American Lung Association’s annual Scale the Strat fundraiser.

It’s the tallest structure in Nevada, consisting of 1,455 steps from bottom to top. Last year I did it in 22:31, a surprising result because according to the stair machine I was training on, it was supposed to take me almost twice as long. 

Last year, 622 people took part in this fun annual Vegas fundraiser. So far this year they're at 831. Climbers include weekend hikers and corporate teams, as well as a lone editor looking for an excuse to get himself to the gym. There also were special divisions for firefighters and first responders in full tactical gear, and competitive racers trying to make the ascent in single-digit times that seemed unfathomable to those of us just hoping our knees hold up.  

The Strat is the tallest building in North America west of Chicago – and the only such tower with a casino attached to it. (Image: Casinos.com)

Lessons Learned from Previous Climb

As noted, I was surprised at my time last year. This year I'll be curious to see if I can beat it, considering that I'm not going in with a mindset that the whole thing will take me 45 minutes, and it's possible I'm carrying an extra bowling ball's worth of cheeseburgers and cookies around my waist and hidden behind my beard. 

Here are four reminders to myself from the previous climb:

1. It wasn’t that hard. What surprised me most wasn’t how hard the climb was — it’s tough, no question — but how manageable it felt. If you’ve ever hiked up an elevation of 1,000 feet, this is the same idea, but with 7-inch steps and handrails perfectly spaced. You can stop whenever you want. 
2. Pacing is key. The fastest time was just over eight minutes. The average was about 34 minutes. The longest was about two hours. Those folks are the real heroes in my estimation, as there are no elevator stops where you can get off, and you're not allowed to turn around. 
3. You would die if you fell over the rail. I've been saying it's not that hard, but it's not without a fear factor. Note to action film producers — this would be a great locale for a chase and life-or-death fight scene.
4. 108 floors up really is a fantastic view of the city. Like any good hike, the payoff is the view waiting at the top. If you haven't been up here before, it's worth the hike, even if you have to take an elevator to do it. 

The Strat climb last year raised more than $233,000 for lung health research, advocacy, and patient support. It was a touch short of their stated $308,000 goal. This year’s goal was set at a more reachable $276,000, and as of Saturday, donations had already surpassed $306,000. 

If you’d like to support the effort, I’ve set up a donation page through the American Lung Association. Help me reach my modest fundraising goal. Every dollar helps fund research, education, and programs that improve lung health and fight lung disease.

For the record, Dan did not require any outside oxygen, but it was reassuring for some to know it’s there. (Photo: courtesy of friendly stranger atop The Strat)

Athletic Weekend in Vegas

Overall, it's been a kinda crazy fitness weekend in Las Vegas. In addition to the Strat climb, the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon takes over the Strip on Sunday night, with runners racing past some of the most iconic casinos in the world. The race is part of the broader Rock 'n' Roll Running Series, which brings a three-day Health & Fitness Expo — free and open to the public — to Resorts World Las Vegas. 

And over at Mandalay Bay, HYROX has taken over the convention center, drawing competitors from around the world for its signature blend of running interposed with a gauntlet of functional fitness stations.