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ABOUT THE BIG D CLIMB

WHAT?
The Big D Climb is the biggest stair climb in North Texas. More than 1,300 climbers raced in January 2014 and helped to raise $210,000 for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. January 31, 2015 will mark the event's 7th year and our goal is to raise more than $250,000. Can we do it? Absolutely! The Big D Climb has the best climbers with the biggest hearts. See you at the top!

WHO?
You! If you don't want to try it alone, form a team and challenge your friends, family and co-workers to race you to the top. Simply click on the link "create a team" on the registration page to climb for a cure together. Racers must be at least 7 years old or able to climb independently. For safety reason, children are not able to be carried.

WHEN?
Saturday, January 31, 2015. It's a great way to kick off your New Year's Resolution to lose weight, go to the gym, try new things, get more involved, help a worthy charity....you name it!

WHERE?
Comerica Bank Tower in Downtown Dallas. The address is 1717 Main Street, Dallas, Texas 75201.

WHY?
To find a cure for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease, and myeloma and to improve the quality of life for patients and their families. Funds raised through the Big D Climb go directly to support research, patient aid, patient services, education, and advocacy. Help us achieve our goal of $250,000!

HOW?
Online registration opens on July 1, 2014! Sign up early and get entered to win some great prizes! No refunds will be given if you are unable to attend the event after registering. Your registration cannot be transferred to another person. For more details, please visit our FAQ page.

QUESTIONS?
We love to chat...especially about the Big D Climb! Please don't hesitate to reach out to LLS staff regarding any questions you may have about the climb, setting up a team, scheduling a corporate team kick-off, you name it! Contact Melissa Jacobowski at Melissa.Jacobowski@lls.org or 972.996.5900.

LET'S TALK ABOUT TEAMS

With over 150 teams at last year's event, the Big D Climb is a perfect event for companies, schools, community groups, or just those that want to support the mission of LLS!

How to create a team:
1. Think of a team name. (Have fun with this step!)
2. Form a team online under the "register" tab by clicking the link "create a team"
3. Tell your teammates your team name so they can select your team to join when they register by clicking the link "join a team"
4. Recruit teammates and fundraise!

How easy was that? If you have questions or need help, please email Melissa.Jacobowski@lls.org or call 972.996.5900.

The Basics:

You can form a Friends & Family team, corporate team, or any combination thereof.
Teams must have a minimum of two people and can have any gender combination. The top three finish times will be combined to come up with your team finish time.
Everyone on your team will have the same start time.

The Benefits:

Regardless of when your teammates register, your team will all have the same start time. However, please note that last minute teammates may be given a different start time due to scheduling conflicts.
Teams are eligible to win race team medals and fundraising team prizes.
A team fundraising page is automatically created which you can customize with your team photo, company logo, or photo of someone you are honoring or remembering. Individual pages will be automatically linked to the team page.

EVENT DAY

JANUARY 31, 2015!

SATURDAY, JANUARY 31, 2015 - RACE DAY!
7:30am - Climb registration opens
7:45am - Elite Climbers start (Nationally Ranked in Stair Climbing by USA Stair Climbing Association)
8:00am - First Responders Challenge begins
8:30am - All other climbers start
10:00am - Day of event registration closes
12:00pm - Approximate last climber start time

IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE CLIMB – AFTER PARTY
Continue to celebrate your accomplishment at MAIN STREET GARDEN immediately following the climb! Meet your family and friends and get your finish time, Big D Climb T-shirt and goody bag. There will also be plenty of food, fun, and festivities!

Medals will be given to the top male and female finishers, top finishers by age category. Also, there will be awards for the top team in each Challenge Group and for Team Spirit!

WHEN SHOULD I ARRIVE?
Please arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled start time. You will need time to park, stretch and be in line in time for your start time. We will update you on parking locations closer to event day.

WHAT ELSE DO I NEED TO KNOW?
1. Bring a photo ID for security.
2. Indoor restrooms are not available. Portable restrooms are located outside the building.
3. Climbers should wear comfortable clothes. Bring a towel and other things you normally use to work out. Water and cheer stations will be available in several locations along the way to the top.
4. Only climbers, LLS staff, and volunteers are allowed on the top floor. Due to limited space, prepare to meet your family and friends on the ground floor or at the After Party at MAIN STREET GARDEN.

FIRST RESPONDER CHALLENGE

FIRE DEPARTMENTS
The race will be done in FULL structural firefighting gear: boots, pants, and coat (liners intact), helmet and gloves. Hoods will not be worn. Air WILL be used. Each firefighter participants is required to use gear which meets current structural firefighting standards. In the event that your fire department does not issue bunker gear, boots or helmets that comply, entrants must use the gear issued by your department that meets the next most current requirements.

Boots used for the event must meet structural firefighting standards. It is the responsibility of the participant to verify standards on their specific brand of boot prior to the competition. Each participant will be briefly checked prior to entering the stairwell to ensure the proper equipment is worn during the course of the event. Gear that is found to be not fire department issue, will subject the participant to disqualification. A disqualified participant will not be eligible for any individual or team racing prizes.

Participants must bring photo ID on the day of the event to ensure the liability waiver has been signed and to ensure accountability inside the building.

Fire Departments will begin climbing at 8:00 am and will climb in a separate stairwell from the Police Departments.

POLICE DEPARTMENTS
Police Departments are encouraged to wear their full uniform while competing against other local Police Departments. Police Departments will begin climbing at 8:00 am and will climb in the main stairwell, separate from the Fire Departments.

HONORED HEROES

2015 Honored Heroes:
Joshua & Jude Cobler,
Leukemia Survivor