XX / Willis Sears Tower (1,729’)

11/02/25: Fresh off a redeye, I took the Blue Line downtown to grab our race packets for the annual Skyrise Chicago Run. The Skyrise Chicago Run is a 103-floor vertical endurance climb up the Willis Tower, where participants trade oxygen for glory to raise funds supporting the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab’s mission to advance rehabilitation research, care, and life-changing outcomes for people with disabilities.

Many years ago, my grandfather worked for Sears and was based in this building. Each visit to Chicago this year I’d been trying (entirely in vain) to get the building administrator let me run up the 103 flights of stairs as part of my ROMP challenge.

The timing of this fun run, some 18 hours after our flight to Chicago, was perfect.

Approach:
Meli and I assembled at base level just after dawn, spirits high and hydration questionable. Entry to the stairwell was secured, and the ascent commenced promptly, with no acclimatization period deemed necessary—or possible.

Weather:
Fair but stagnant. Ambient temperature rose steadily with altitude, creating a microclimate best described as “sauna adjacent.” No breeze was detected throughout the climb.

Conditions (Ground / Ice / Snow / Visibility):
Ground: firm concrete underfoot, consistent but unforgiving.
Ice: none observed, though sweat presented localized slip hazards.
Snow: mercifully absent.
Visibility: minimal—limited to a few meters and the reflective numbering of the next floor.

Hazards:
Chief risks included dehydration, existential doubt, and entanglement with climbers. Occasional acoustic disorientation from echoing wheezes and motivational slogans.

Summary:
Summit achieved under taxing vertical conditions. Lungs aflame, quadriceps compromised, but morale unbroken and elevated by all the amazing current and former AbilityLab patients in attendance.

Highly recommended.