Climbers fueled to the finish with Louisville pure tap®

The morning temperature was a chilly 27 degrees when the 8th annual Fight for Air Climb kicked off this past Saturday morning at Lynn Family Stadium. But that didn’t stop the nearly 300 participants from tackling the grueling course for a great cause.

Sponsored by the American Lung Association (ALA), the Fight for Air Climb usually sends climbers up a ‘vertical mile’, tackling 38 flights of stairs at the PNC Bank building in downtown Louisville. When COVID-19 required the event to move to an outdoor venue for safety, Lynn Family Stadium—a proud Louisville Water partner—answered the call.

In a course that stretched the entire stadium, climbers tackled 2,000 steps—a rigorous workout even for the Louisville City FC team, who also runs the stadium’s many stairs for training. Several of our city’s first responders were among the initial round of climbers, including 26 Louisville Fire Department firefighters who completed the event in full fire protection gear (weighing up to 75 pounds)!

Despite freezing temperatures, the demanding course got participants sweating in no time. Louisville Water was on-site serving Louisville pure tap® to thirsty climbers and volunteers. Each attendee received their own reusable water bottle to keep, which helped them stay hydrated safely throughout the climb.

With staggered start times, social distancing measures, and masks required for all participants, the event was a huge—and safe—success! The Fight for Air Climb raised over $85,000 for the ALA, exceeding their targeted goal. These funds will help the ALA’s work to end COVID-19, advocate for cleaner air, and support lifesaving research. Louisville Water was proud to support the athletes and volunteers at this great event!