Frequently Asked Questions
Trek Up the Tower Frequently Asked Questions
Event Overview
Yes. Trek Up the Tower supports WELLCOM, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to worksite wellness. Registration fees help cover the cost of the event and support WELLCOM’s mission. A portion of the entry fee is tax deductible.
Held across the globe, vertical stair climbs are rising in popularity. Like Trek Up the Tower, many take place within a skyscraper; some are held outdoors in stadiums and even up ski slopes. They are a creative way to test your endurance and participate in a community wellness event.
The First National Tower consists of 40 floors and 870 steps. The tower extends 633 feet into the sky and is the tallest building between Denver and Chicago.
There are several opportunities to sponsor Trek Up the Tower. To learn more, please visit the Sponsorships page, download the sponsorship flier, or contact WELLCOM at 402-934-5795.
Registration Categories
Both. Corporate and community teams are encouraged, but you also can participate as an individual.
Premier Pass holders receive additional benefits such as early packet pick up, fast track line and more. Learn more.
This category is for Trekkers looking for the ultimate challenge. Participants will complete the tower 10 and 1/3 times or one vertical mile! All finisher’s will receive a special t-shirt and certificate of completion. The individual with the fastest combined time will receive an award! Learn More
Elite Pass Qualifiers: Participants who meet the criteria below will receive priority seeding and may select a start time between 7:00 a.m. and 7:45 a.m.
- Male: Prior Trek Up the Tower time of seven minutes or less.
- Female: Prior Trek Up the Tower time of eight minutes or less.
Registration
- WELLCOM member registration: Oct. 8 to 31
- Early Bird Registration: Oct. 22 to Nov. 5
- Regular Registration: Nov. 5 until full
Confirm your registration online. If you need assistance, please call 402-934-5795.
Yes, you must be 16 years of age or older to participate. Participants under the age of 18 are required to have a parent or guardian sign an electronic waiver at time of registration, and sign and return a hardcopy Minor Waiver and Medical Release form to jholes@elevatingwellness.org. Participants under the age of 18 will not be able to participate if a Minor Waiver and Medical Release form is not received by day of event. The parent or guardian will receive the hardcopy Minor Waiver and Medical Release form and additional instructions upon successful completion of the online registration.
Trek Up the Tower is open to the public. WELLCOM members have the opportunity to register early at a discounted rate.
There are no refunds for this event.
Each participant will receive a long-sleeve, technical T-shirt, a medal upon completion and a commemorative towel. Prizes will be awarded in various categories. The Post Party also features refreshments, music, a vendor fair and photographs.
Absolutely. Financially incenting your employees to participate is a great way to grow your team and show your support for community wellness. Request your Discount Code online. You can choose to cover a portion of the registration fee or the entire amount. Contact WELLCOM at 402-934-5795 for more information.
- If your company or organization has provided you with a code to cover a portion of your registration, you will enter that code into the Discount Code Field. A discount code only covers a portion of the total cost of the registration.
- If you have been provided a code that will cover your entire registration fee, please enter it into the Comp Code Field. A Comp Code will cover the entire registration category.
Yes. We have several options available for individuals looking to make the journey multiple times.
- Additional climbs may be PRE-PURCHASED for $15 per extra climb.
- Premier Passes are available for $125 and allow you to climb the Tower as many times as you would like during the event.
- The Stairosaurus Vertical Mile Challenge enables you to make 10 and 1/3 trips up the Tower, which equals one vertical mile.
Teams
Once you click the Register button, simply follow the instructions to “Create a Team” on the sign up website.
Absolutely. Financially incenting your employees to participate is a great way to grow your team and show your support for community wellness. Request your Discount Code online. You can choose to cover a portion of the registration fee or the entire amount. Contact WELLCOM at 402-934-5795 for more information.
- If your company or organization has provided you with a code to cover a portion of your registration, you will enter that code into the Discount Code Field. A discount code only covers a portion of the total cost of the registration.
- If you have been provided a code that will cover your entire registration fee, please enter it into the Comp Code Field. A Comp Code will cover the entire registration category.
Congrats on wanting to form a team! The best place to get get started is to download our Team Recruitment Kit. In it you will find digital downloads including promotional materials, email templates, team challenges and awards, and editable graphics to use to recruit and excite your team.
Check online to see who has joined your team!
Training
No, unfortunately we cannot allow participants to use the stairs in the tower before the day of the event.
Yes. Please view the training program created by the YMCA. Beginner and Advanced programs are available.
Logistics
Participant Check-In will be in the Main Lobby of First National Tower located at 16th and Dodge Street Entrance. View the event map.
A Gear-Check will be provided to all participants where they can store their personal belongings and pick them up at the completion. Participants are requested not to bring extra items such as coats, shoes, keys, phones, etc. must be checked in after entering the building. Bags are not allowed. A gear check bag will be provided.
Parking expenses are the responsibility of the participant and will not be reimbursed. Parking is available throughout downtown Omaha. For the first time this year, there will be limited parking available at the 17th Street First National Bank surface lot on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please see the attached map for more information.
Yes, emergency response teams will be located on various floors throughout the tower.
Yes, water stations will be set up on various floors throughout the tower. Participants may also step off to the side and rest if needed.
View previous Trek Up the Tower results:
Trek Up the Tower is not a spectator event. Family and friends are not encouraged to attend due to event logistics and space requirements.
Participants will use the elevators to return to the ground floor. Participants will not be allowed to use the stairs to descend.
Yes, a few minutes will be given to each participant once they reach the top to look out the windows.
Yes, please view the event map for important directions regarding the day of the event.
Yes, a block of hotel rooms has been secured at EVEN Hotels in Downtown Omaha, near the First National Tower for February 15-16, 2019.
EVEN Hotels
2220 Farnam St
Omaha, NE 68102
Reservations can be made by clicking here, selecting "Book Now." The group code is TRE and will auto-populate after you select the link to receive the special rate of $139 per night.
Guests will have until January 19th to make a reservation and receive the discounted rate. Reservations can also be made by calling EVEN Hotels directly at 402-345-3836 and referencing Trek Up the Tower group or the group code TRE.
Volunteering
Yes, we have several opportunities available for volunteers.
- View the volunteer categories.
- Register to volunteer.
Yes. Volunteers are encouraged to also participate in the event. You must register separately to volunteer and to participate. All volunteers receive a $15 discount to participate in the event. Once you are successfully register to volunteer you will receive a conformation email with the discount code. Please use this discount code when you register to participate in Trek Up the Tower.
- View the volunteer categories.
- Register to volunteer.
Parking expenses are the responsibility of the volunteer and will not be reimbursed. Parking is available throughout downtown Omaha including metered street parking and parking garages.
Many of the volunteer categories overlap during the event so it makes it difficult to volunteer for more than one category. We recommend you register for only one volunteer category per date.
- View the volunteer categories.
- Register to volunteer.
The satisfaction of helping at an incredible event! You also get fun, friends, networking a free volunteer T‐shirt and discounted participation rate to climb the tower yourself!
- View the volunteer categories.
- Register to volunteer.