Stair Climb for Cancer

the 2013 stairclimb for cancer

The Skylon tower has been an attraction in the city of Niagara Falls since October 6, 1965. It stands at a height of 775 feet and it overlooks the Gorge and both the Canadian and American waterfalls themselves.
I saw the view from the Skywheel, the Maid of the Mist, the observation decks and even the little tower that lights them up at night; but the view from the tower in my eyes is the best way to see the real physical history of the falls and how they were created. I climb stairs every day for no reason without even realizing it and so do you, we climb them one or two steps at time whether it's to get into your house or stepping up on a curb. I found a way to use some of those steps for a good cause and participated to raise money for Cancer research.

I trained by biking the Niagara Blvd from Fort Erie to Niagara Falls and back. I really wanted to take a chance and go for the record of 3:24 minutes set in 1984 by Gord Singleton (a word class cyclist)

My favourite band is and probably always will be Linkin Park and my favourite song of theirs at the moment is "Lost in the Echo" It times in at 3:25 so I felt like that was an appropriate song to train to and it became the theme song for the climb, well for me at least.

"Confidence can help you feel bigger than anything you may be up against, " Andrew Aitken

The morning was off to a loud start by Elksaholic pumping "Lost in the Echo" which again is the theme song for the climb.

I missed the speeches and the cake but I'm happy I made the event. We raised more than $40,000 for Cancer Research and I ended up getting the third best time all day at 4:07 and winning the Bronze medal.

I met some really cool people and so many Canadian Olympians and even a group of firemen who came out to climb in their gear. I conversed with Canadian Olympians who've won gold medals for our country that's awesome which included a conversation with Martin Reader in the elevator we were contemplating climbing a second time but we didn't end up doing it. One of my favourite moments was getting to talk to Mike Strange about the BoxRun and Tough Mudder, he's become one of my inspirations and it was so cool to see him in person. I am grateful to be a part of this amazing event and cannot wait until next year to do this all again

if you've never climbed the stairs of the skylon tower i say you add it to your bucket list, try it for yourself because this is one of the rewards not to mention the confidence you gain when you reach the top.

                                           For more event information contact
                                                             Angela Daley
                                                    Canadian Cancer Society
                                                   adaley@ontario.cancer.ca
                                                      905-684-6455 ext. 3151