Event FAQs
A list of our Climb The Capital FAQs can be found below.
Stair climb events can vary in difficulty depending on factors like the venue and the number of stairs involved. Generally, they provide a challenging yet rewarding experience suitable for participants of various fitness levels. It should be noticed that this event is unlike many others in that it includes multiple buildings and thus a greater element of fatigue, which should be considered at the point of registration.
Training for a stair climb event should focus on both cardiovascular endurance and lower body strength. Incorporate activities like stair climbing, running, and leg exercises into your routine. Gradually increase intensity to build stamina. Please refer to our training page for more information and a downloadable training guide.
Comfortable athletic wear and proper footwear with good grip.
Hydration: Utilise the water points across the event
Towel: You might get sweaty, so having a towel handy might be a good idea.
Snacks: However be sure to have these far ahead of your challenge to let your stomach settle, there will be energy bars provided in your goody bag after the event.
Your registration confirmation for ease of check-in,
Few personal items; ideally as little to store at bag-drop as possible
Positive attitude: A can-do mindset goes a long way in conquering those stairs!
Pace yourself: Start at a comfortable pace to ensure you have energy for the entire climb.
Use handrails: Utilize handrails for balance and to ease the strain on your legs.
Focus on breathing: Maintain a steady breathing pattern to optimize oxygen intake.
Visualize success: Keep a positive mental image of reaching the top
Take breaks if you need to – it’s not a race, it’s about finishing safely
Average times can vary widely, but for a standard stair climb event, finishing times typically range from 10 to 30 minutes per building. Factors such as the number of stairs, individual fitness levels, and event-specific challenges contribute to these variations. We anticipate that Climb The Capital will add a degree of fatigue by building three, which may slow some participants down.
Opt for a balanced meal rich in complex carbohydrates, moderate in protein, and low in fat. Consider foods like whole grains, lean proteins, and fruits. Avoid heavy or greasy meals, and aim to eat 2-3 hours before the event to allow for digestion.
Hydration is crucial, so water should be the primary source of fluid intake, however for safety reasons (slips/ falls) some buildings on the route do not allow drinks to be consumed on the move. These buildings will have water stations, and we advise use of all water stations between buildings.
While some participants find energy drinks or pouches beneficial for a quick energy boost, energy pouches are better for endurance type events, so not usually for stair climbing. If you do choose to consume energy pouches or drinks, we would recommend doing so at least 10-15 minutes prior to your start time. It’s also essential to test them during training to ensure they agree with your stomach.
Overtaking on stairs requires caution and courtesy. If you’re passing someone, announce your intention with a friendly phrase like “Passing on your left/right.” Respect the pace of others, and choose safe moments to overtake, such as wider sections of the stairs.
Climbing etiquette should see the slower climber move to the outside of the stairwell, allowing the faster climber through on the inside.
Recovery is crucial to minimize muscle soreness and fatigue. Hydrate well, replenish electrolytes, and consider light stretching. A post-event meal with a balance of protein and carbohydrates will aid muscle recovery. Listen to your body, get adequate rest, and consider activities like walking or gentle cycling for active recovery.
Remember, these tips aim to enhance your overall stair climb experience and promote a safe and enjoyable event. Happy climbing!
On average it will take between 10-30 minutes to finish each building. But everyone is different, and you can take the climb at your own pace. However, we do ask for you to complete the tower run before our cut-off time of 1.30, to enable our finishers’ reception to close at 2pm before the venue opens to the public.
The tower runs will be chip timed and the time will pause between each building so you don’t need to run between each one, we encourage you to catch your breath, use the toilet and grab some water.
Yes, we recommend that you do use the handrail to help pull yourself up. Either hand over hand on the inside rail, or use the rails on both walls to help take the strain off your legs. Even the most experienced tower runners make good use of the handrails, most will have perfected their own handrail technique.
It’s more efficient to take the steps two at a time so we recommend that you do this for as long as possible, making sure that you go down to one at a time if it starts to feel tough. Also, walk, don’t run! Our best advice is to try a swift, consistent two step walk. It will be almost impossible to sustain a run throughout. If you’ve still got energy left by the top then go for a sprint finish, but we’d recommend against a sprint start.
It’s important that you can hear other climbers on the stairs as well as any health and safety announcements, however we appreciate some people prefer to be motivated by music. If that’s you, then be sure to use wireless headphones and – if possible – just use one. This means you’ll be able to hear other people passing you by. For elite participants, we recommend no headphones, as this will be a more competitive part of the event.
Unfortunately, for this event it’s not possible to split your fundraising. However, if two causes resonate with you, you could always encourage a friend to take part to fundraise for your second choice on your behalf, or you could set up two fundraising pages – but you’d then need to raise the set target for each, which could be challenging.
Places at this event are allocated only to the four listed charities.
We ask that you don’t bring too much with you – but if you do bring a bag there will be a designated bag-drop at the Leadenhall Building. You would have to return to this point to collect your bag after the event closes; this is around a five-minute walk from the final building.
We have exclusive use of all three buildings, including the Sky Garden, until 2pm, after which the public will be granted access. We ask that all runners complete their challenge by 1.30pm to then facilitate 30 minutes of the reception.
You will be allocated a start time within a set wave; this is to avoid congestion at the top of buildings. Please stay in your wave and please take the first opportunity possible to descend in the lift. (No downward steps required!)
There is a £25 entry fee for Climb The Capital, and you will need to commit to raising a minimum of £475.
The Leadenhall Building (The Cheesegrater) – 52-54 Lime Street (The Scalpel) – 20 Fenchurch Street (The Walkie Talkie), finishing in The Sky Garden.
We will celebrate your achievement with a celebratory drink and chance to enjoy the incredible views from The Sky Garden.
There will be marshalls in hi-viz directing you between each building.
Timing chips will be embedded in the race numbers, and will be activated and deactivated the bottom and top of each staircase. Therefore the time taken to descend and travel between each building will not be recorded.
This event is open to everyone with a good level of fitness – however we highly recommend that you take the challenge seriously and train appropriately. Please refer to our Training Guide to prepare for the event.