Duke Energy Center - 8:30 am
Race to the Top presented by Wells Fargo
Think you can make it back to the top? This year 750 climbers will have the chance to beat down gravity and race to the top of the Duke Energy Center's 50th floor, as they compete against the clock. This years' Race To The Top will take place on Saturday, April 20, 2013, starting at 8:30 am.
Race To The Top is an event owned and operated by the Charlotte Sports Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit.
Climber Information
Important information needed for this event:
› Climber Information Packet
› Flight Schedule
› Buiding Diagram
Registration & Volunteers
Participant & volunteer registration opens January 1, 2013.
Participant Registration Details
Online registration is only available only for this event – register here.
There is no paper registration due to flight times and limited space within each. There will be NO Race Day Registration. Registration closes on April 18, 2013, at 11:59 pm or when the 750 climber cap is reached. Climbers must be 13 years of age or older to participate.
Registration Categories & Pricing
| Race Division | Pricing |
| Race To The Top presented by Wells Fargo |
$35 |
| First Responders Division | $30 |
Volunteer Registration Details
To register to volunteer, click here. Volunteers must be 15 years of age or older to volunteer.
Fundraise & Donate
50 Stories | 672 Vertical Feet | 1,194 Steps | MANY MIRACLES
Race against gravity and the clock, but also race to be the miracle. Each year Levine Children's Hospital treats thousands of children from all over the southeast – children like Michael. This year the Charlotte Sports Foundation, through our event Race To The Top, want all of our participants to help fundraise and donate to the Levine Children's Hospital to help children like Michael and so many others!
All you need to do is to register to participate in the event and then sign up to be a fundraiser on the confirmation page. Can't participate this year? Then either sign up to be a fundraiser only and help collect donations or simply donate to the event. When you sign up to fundraise, make sure you sign up to be on a team! (All of the fundraised & donated dollars go directly to the Levine Children's Hospital, not to a particular patient)
Team Michael
Michael loves football. The 16-year-old plays nose guard for his high school and his parents love cheering him on. In January, he found himself up against an unlikely opponent. Michael was fighting cancer. He was admitted to Levine Children's Hospital and diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. His cancer had already progressed to Stage 3. But Michael took what he learned on the field and became focused and determined to beat cancer. His treatment began on January 19th and 28 days later, Michael entered remission. Today, Michael is healthy and back on the football field.
The Hull Family was not expecting to hear "You're in labor!" from their doctor during their 32 week pregnancy checkup. But that was the news they received on May 12, eight weeks before Carson's due date. Born premature, Carson weighed only 4 pounds and spent 16 long days in the Neonatal Intensive Care Nursery at Levine Children's Hospital. Thanks to the expert care she received at Levine Children's Hospital, Carson is now approaching her third birthday and enjoys reading, singing, dancing and playing in her kitchen!
Can't participate or fundraise, then donate to Race To The Top and the Levine Children's Hospital
Event Details
Packet Pick Up
Packet pickup will occur on the day of the event. All participants can arrive at their pre-registered times to check-in and receive their t-shirts, bibs, & chips. Times vary based upon flight time. View map.
Climbers
A cap of 750 Climbers has been set for 2013. You must be at least 13 years of age to participate.
Race Day Information
Participant check-in will start at 7:30 am at the Duke Energy Center and be staggered based off of your flight time. Flight times are based off of your perceived level of experience with a tower run. The experience levels determine when your flight time will be.
The Course & The Race
Duke Energy Center
550 S. Tryon Street
Charlotte, NC 28202
Race To The Top begins at 8:30 am where each individual climber will take off every 15 seconds from the start line. The Race To The Top is a 50-floor full climb with a total of 1,194 steps. The amount of steps per floor varies throughout the building.
Race To The Top is an individually timed event where climbers will be competing against the clock for the fastest time. There will be four (4) water stops and bailout points along the course. Water, Restrooms, and Bailout.
Bailout points and water stops are located on the 14th, 26th, 34th and 50th floors
- On the 14th and 34th floors you will have access to water fountains
- The 26th floor will have a cooler with water cups
- Runners will need to carefully exit the stairway and finish water before returning
A map may be located in the climber information links above.
Duke Energy Center stairwells turn to the right. While climbing, please pass on the left side only. Upon completion of the race you will be asked to turn your timing chip in and will be brought back to the main lobby via service elevators.
Only participants, staff and volunteers are permitted in the stairwells. The carrying of infants and small children up the stairs is strictly prohibited. The carrying of any objects is strictly prohibited in the stairwell including but not limited to the following:
- iPods or music devices
- Water bottles
- Children
- Water belts with removable bottles (camelpacks are acceptable)
- Keys, cell phones, PDAs
- Cameras (Video or still)
Emergency Situation
In the case there is emergency situation that requires medical attention or access to one of the buildings floors, please locate and activate a call box. Upon activation you will be directly connected to building security and medic. They will be able to assist you with any needs as they arise.
Awards
The top overall male and female will receive a trophy and a $250 cash prize courtesy of the Charlotte Sports Foundation.
New for 2013, all participants will receive a Race To The Top medal on the 50th floor. Make sure you sign up today to receive your medal.
Race To The Top 3-Inch Award Medal
Post Race Party
8:15 am until 12:00 noon on Levine Avenue of the Arts (view map). Food, beverages, music, contests & more! You must have ID available for proof of age for alcoholic beverage consumption.
Parking
Parking is available in several places around the event. Please visit www.aboutparking.com/charlotte to find detailed information about parking locations. Once at the Aboutparking.com website, search the address 550 S. Tryon Charlotte, NC, to locate specific parking information. Parking meters will not be in use during the event in the Center City area.
Sponsors & Supporters
Race To The Top would like to thank all of our sponsors & supporters for being a part of this year's event!
Presenting Sponsor
Ride Down Sponsor
Sponsors
Event Owner & Operator
For a complete listing of the 2013 race results please click the button below.
2012 Race Results
The Charlotte Regional Sports Commission would like to thank all of those who participated in our inaugural event! Race To The Top 2011 was an incredible success and we look forward to continuing this event with your support. We would also like to congratulate this year’s winner:
| Men's | Women's | |
| 1st - Zack Kessell (7:07) | 1st - Stephanie Hucko (8:20) | |
| 2nd - David Hay (7:25) | 2nd - Anneke Schindler (9:01) | |
| 3rd - Pierce Bradshaw (7:27) | 3rd - Alexa Francoz (9:05) | |
| 4th - Michael Creason (7:28) | 4th - Amy Korb (9:32) | |
| 5th - Matt Jones (7:29) | 5th - Ashley Smith (9:39) | |
| Firefighter Challenge | ||
| 1st - Michael Forman (15:11) | ||
For a complete listing of race results please click the button below.
How To Become A Sponsor
Race To The Top has many great opportunities for corporations to get involved. To receive the event sponsorship deck and more information please contact:
Chris Clouden
Senior Director of Events & Marketing
(704) 644-4045
Email
Be A Volunteer
Interested in becoming a volunteer for Race To The Top? We are always looking for dedicated and hard working volunteers to help without events. Please visit the volunteer registration site and register today to become a volunteer! If you have any questions regarding volunteer opportunities please contact, Chris Clouden.
Charlotte Sports Foundation volunteer opportunities: Register
Chris Clouden
(704) 644-4045
Email
Contact Info
For additional race details or for more information, please contact:
Chris Clouden
(704) 644-4045
Email
Destination Information
For hotel, event and travel information for Charlotte, please check out our partners at Visit Charlotte.