Climb to the Top MS Event Details
Date & LocationMay 7, 2023 Gillette Stadium |
RequirementsFundraising Minimum: Age Minimum: 8 years |
Schedule- Registration Opens: 9am |
Due to our event format and location (you will be going up and down the stairs in the stadium), Climb to the Top will not be a timed event this year. Don’t worry, you will still get the same sense of satisfaction, great view, and heart-pumping experience!
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Event Schedule & Pricing
Registration Fees
Climbers
- Starting fee – $20
- 3/13/23 – increases to $35
- 4/16/23 – increases to $45
- Event day – $50
Minor Climbers
- $15 flat fee
First Responders/Military
- $20 flat fee
Virtual Climbers
- $20 flat fee
Online registration closes at the beginning of the day on May 4, 2023.
The Climb to the Top Experience
Climb to the Top MS is giving you an inside look and one-of-a-kind experience to break out of the stairwell and climb in the open air at Gillette Stadium.
Leaving from an exclusive spot in the stadium, you will climb up and down the stadium stairs, serpentine-style, with rest stops along the way to refuel. Pause along the way and take in the view as you reflect on how your efforts are changing the world for the nearly 1 million people living with MS in the United States.
At the finish line, you will be greeted by not only an incredible view but a cheer section, pumping music, a finish line medal and a place to gather to enjoy concession style food and drinks!
Completing Climb to the Top MS requires the same effort as running a 5K (3.1 miles). Those who’ve completed a 5K should be able to complete the stair climb without extensive stair climbing practice.
We can't wait to see you on the stairs!
Know Before You Go
- Check in and registration opens at 9:00 AM. Enter at the CVS Health Gate directly adjacent to Lot 22. If you did not get your packet in the mail, please come at least 60 minutes before your wave time to get your bib and food voucher.
- Parking is at Gillette Stadium Lot 22. Most GPS systems recognize the specific lot number. See link for map.
- There is an ADA entrance at the CVS Health Gate. A staff member or volunteer will escort you to the ADA entrance on the concourse.
- Start times are LIVE in your participant center. Navigate to your dashboard and click on the start time PDF.
- If you a climber who is Living with MS, make sure and stop by the LWMS area for your bandana and wear with pride!
- We encourage everyone to bring your cheerleaders! There will be a special spectator cheer section where they can go hoarse cheering you on!
- The stairs are no easy feat, but if you want to make it even more challenging, here are some ways to up your game (at your own risk, of course):
- Wear a weighted vest or wrist/ankle weights
- Climb the stairs multiple times – see below for a new contest!
- Rock a costume, the sillier, the better!
- Food and Drinks
- All climbers will receive a food voucher redeemable for $7 of food or beverages (not including alcohol) at the concession stand.
- Concession food and beverages are available for purchase beyond the $7 voucher.
- Water will be provided to climbers at the 4 water stops and finish line.
- Top fundraisers (Climbers who have raised $500+ individually) will also receive drink tickets redeemable for 2 soft drinks or alcoholic beverages. (*Must be 21 years+)
- All climbers will receive a food voucher redeemable for $7 of food or beverages (not including alcohol) at the concession stand.
NEW this year!
- DONATION DRINKS!- Keep the donations coming in on event day and get a cold one on us! Whether it’s by sharing your donation link alongside your finish line selfie or texting your friends, anyone who raises $50 on event day will get a drink ticket as a thank you for sharing and supporting our mission.
- HOW MANY TIMES CAN YOU CLIMB? For Climbers who want to get extra stairs in, we have an anonymous donor who will donate $10 for every time you complete the course after your first time for a total of up to $1,500! We need your help to get the whole match. There will be a leaderboard waiting for your name… Come ready to run!
- SWEATY SELFIE COMPETITION! - Post your before and after selfies for a chance to be featured on our National MS Society social channels! Use #climbMS so we can check out your pics!
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The Stadium
Gillette Stadium
Climb to the Top MS is giving you an inside look and one-of-a-kind experience to break out of the stairwell and climb in the open air at Gillette Stadium.
Here’s what makes it so iconic:
- Located in Foxborough, Massachusetts, Gillette Stadium is home to the New England Revolution and New England Patriots, six time Superbowl Champions.
- The stadium is 16 stories tall and has 68,000 seats.
- On a typical game day, Patriots fans eat more than one ton of Italian sausage and warm up with 186 gallons of clam chowder.
- 432 concerts have been hosted at Gillette from some of music’s biggest artists.
- Architects used local references when building Gillette including a 12-story lighthouse (based on numerous New England lighthouses) and a pedestrian bridge (resembling Longfellow Bridge in Boston).
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Incentives
Reach $250 to earn an event T-shirt and medal.
Raise $300 by the early incentive deadline of April 2, 2023 to earn a Climb to the Top baseball hat.
Raise $500+ to earn a Climb to the Top athletic tank.
- Get ALL of your team members to the fundraising minimum of $250 and be entered to win 4 tickets to special Gillette Stadium access tour! Deadline - April 30
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Safety & COVID-19
Think Safe
Your safety is our number one priority; that’s why we made Think Safe our motto. To do your part to ensure everyone is safe, please review this safety information about personal safety and COVID protocols.
COVID-19: What to Expect
Here’s what you need to know about COVID-19 safety when attending a National MS Society gathering:
- Stay home if you’re experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19.
- Masks are optional. If you need a mask, we’ve got you covered—just ask a National MS Society staff member.
- While vaccinations are not required to attend most National MS Society events, we strongly encourage everyone get vaccinated. This is important not only to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 across all our communities, but for the safety of those who are immunocompromised—including many people with MS—who may receive less protection from COVID-19 vaccines. The National MS Society also has a mandatory vaccination policy for all Society employees.
- Society events are planned to allow for physical distance between staff, volunteers and participants whenever possible.
- We follow CDC guidelines for routine cleaning and sanitizing of restrooms, shared spaces, and high-touch surfaces, as well as ensure adequate handwashing supplies and/or hand sanitizer.
- There may be additional safety protocol for some events due to special circumstances, venue requirements or local mandates. Stay tuned to all communication about your event so you can be prepared.
We look forward to gathering safely with you! To learn more about COVID-19 vaccines visit CDC.gov, or for information about vaccines and people with MS, nationalMSsociety.org.
Age Minimum
Families are such a big part of Climb to the Top and we love seeing them on the stairs! To make sure our youngest participants remain safe, the following requirements apply to all participants under the age of 18:
- All participants under the age of 18 must be registered as a Minor Climber.
- All participants must be at least 8 years of age on or before event day.
- All participants ages 8 to 17 are required to pay a registration fee and reach the $100 fundraising minimum prior to receiving event day materials.
- Parent or legal guardian are required to sign a waiver/release of liability form as part of the registration.
- Authorized guardian and child ratio must be 1:3 (adult must have no more than 3 minors to chaperone).
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Training & Prep
We wouldn’t ask you to serpentine through Gillette Stadium if we weren’t prepared to help you do it! Participants should know that completing Climb to the Top MS is equivalent to running a 5k (3.1 miles). However, it should take less time to climb the stadium stairs than it would to complete a 5k. Experienced athletes who’ve completed a 5k should be able to complete the stair climb without extensive stair climbing practice.
Before you start any type of training for Climb, be sure you are well hydrated, are wearing good running shoes, and that you have adequately warmed up and stretched.
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Sponsors
Thank You to Our Sponsors
By investing in Climb to the Top MS our corporate sponsors proudly demonstrate their commitment to the local community and to people affected by MS. Supporting Climb to the Top inspires employees, increases corporate visibility, and allows companies to have a direct impact on the communities that they work and live in.
Our corporate sponsors are changing the world for people affected by MS. By supporting Climb to the Top MS through cash or in-kind donations, corporate sponsors allow us to direct more dollars to help all individuals affected by MS.
