Posted 22 days ago by Alen Hodzic | Respiratory Health Association - Digital Communications Coordinator
3 MIN READ – The Hustle Chicago® stair climb returns to the former Hancock Building on February 22, 2026, and brings thousands of participants together to take on 94 floors in support of lung health and clean air.
Every February, thousands of Chicagoans gather at 875 North Michigan Avenue with one goal in mind: reaching the top.
Hustle Chicago® is an annual stair climb that challenges participants to ascend all 94 floors of the former Hancock building. The event has become a winter tradition for many, drawing individuals, teams, and organizations from across the city. Some participants are experienced climbers who return year after year. Others are first timers taking on the challenge for the unique experience. What they share is a willingness to do something physically demanding in the middle of winter for a reason that goes beyond the stairs.
The climb supports Respiratory Health Association, a Chicago based nonprofit that has worked for more than a century to promote lung health and clean air. Funds raised through Hustle Chicago help support programs that assist families managing asthma, caregivers supporting loved ones with chronic lung disease, and policy efforts aimed at improving air quality across Illinois.
For many participants, the cause is personal. Some live with asthma or other respiratory conditions. Others climb in honor of someone they love. Not everyone arrives with a direct connection, though. For some, Hustle Chicago is simply a way to support public health in the city they live and work in, while taking on a challenge that feels distinctly Chicago.
The stairwell experience itself is surprisingly communal. Climbers move at their own pace, often stopping between landings to catch their breath or encourage someone nearby. Volunteers line the route offering water and motivation. The event is not primarily about competition. It is about participation and finishing what you start.
There are several ways to get involved. Participants can register as individuals, form teams with friends or coworkers, or support the event as sponsors. Businesses and organizations play an important role in sustaining the climb each year, with partners such as 360 Chicago, ComEd, and OMRON helping make the event possible. Whether climbing solo, as part of a group, or supporting behind the scenes, involvement looks different for everyone.
Reaching the top comes with familiar views of the skyline and Lake Michigan, but the impact of the climb extends beyond the finish line. Hustle Chicago reflects something the city does well. When there is meaningful work to be done, people show up, even when it is uncomfortable. One step at a time, individual effort adds up to collective support for healthier lungs and cleaner air across Chicago.
Photos courtesy of Respiratory Health Association.
