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Stair Climbing Event
I handled publicity and registration for a fundraising event that benefited the social services agency The Up Center. The inaugural Step Up stair climbing event garnered much media attention after weeks of outreach including:
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The Virginian-Pilot article on a boot camp with elite stair climbers
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The Flagship article on military members trying a 100 story climb
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Chesapeake Clipper article on a mentoring pair who are stepping up
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Norfolk Compass article on firefighters taking the stairs in gear
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Health Journal article on the overall event
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Numerous mentions on radio thanks to Eric Worden at BOB FM
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Stair climbing stories on at least 17 newscasts or television shows, including all four major local news channels, particularly WAVY TV.
Press Release about Pre-Event Fitness Opportunity
Boot Camp for Stair Climbing Race Includes Elite Climbers
Three elite stair climbers will be traveling to Norfolk this weekend to lead a boot camp for some registrants of The Up Center’s Step Up stair climbing race. The climbers will give the participants a workout and training tips. Here are the details:
When: Sunday, March 28; Beginners 1:00 pm - 2 pm; Intermediate/Advanced 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm (there will be more people at the beginner session)
Where: Dominion Tower, 999 Waterside Drive, Norfolk, VA 23510
Trainers:
Trevor Folgering – Founder of the Canadian Stair Climbing Association, Trevor is ranked 31st in the world for stair climbing.
Ken Myers – Climber from Pennsylvania, Ken is close to completing 50,000 competitive steps. He is trained to complete repetitive climbs that involve climbing the tower more than once (which will be an option in the Step Up event, where climbers can climb the 25 stories once, twice or four times)
Sam Myers – 10 year old son of Ken, He has competed in the highest stair climb in North America, which is Chicago’s Willis (Sears) Tower. Overall, Sam has completed more than 5300 total steps and was the youngest finisher in his first two local races at ages 8 and 9.
More Details: The Step Up for The Up Center event is a stair climbing race that will be held on Sunday, April 25th from 10am-2pm at Dominion Tower. This weekend’s boot camp will give climbers a chance to try the stairs in the building before the event. Registrants may choose to participate competitively or non-competitively. Competitors will be given timing chips and have the option of climbing the 580 steps once, twice or four times.
Aside from stair climbing, the event day in April will also include a variety of entertainment, including performances by local step teams and the rock band Butter, tours of emergency vehicles, food from vendors and much more.
Why Participate: In addition to having fun, climbers also will be able to help the community. Climbers will seek sponsors to raise funds for The Up Center, which has been serving the community for more than 125 years. Its programs, ranging from youth mentoring & foster care to programs for people with disabilities, help more than 10,000 people each year in Hampton Roads.
For more information about The Up Center or the event, please visit www.theupcenter.org. The public also may call Jessica Oulahan at 757-965-8649 for more information.
One of the several stories created about the boot camp appeared in the Washington Examiner:
A Few Other Stories:
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