
Kathryn Handler climbs 75 flights of stairs in the U.S. Bank Tower during Ketchum-Downtown YMCA’s annual Stair Climb in Los Angeles on Friday, September 25, 2026. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

People climb 75 flights of stairs in the U.S. Bank Tower during Ketchum-Downtown YMCA’s annual Stair Climb in Los Angeles on Friday, September 25, 2026. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Jenny Moro takes a break as she climbs 75 flights of stairs in the U.S. Bank Tower during Ketchum-Downtown YMCA’s annual Stair Climb in Los Angeles on Friday, September 25, 2026. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Robert Wieder climbs 75 flights of stairs in the U.S. Bank Tower during Ketchum-Downtown YMCA’s annual Stair Climb in Los Angeles on Friday, September 25, 2026. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

People climb 75 flights of stairs in the U.S. Bank Tower during Ketchum-Downtown YMCA’s annual Stair Climb in Los Angeles on Friday, September 25, 2026. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Mark Ewell climbs 75 flights of stairs in the U.S. Bank Tower during Ketchum-Downtown YMCA’s annual Stair Climb in Los Angeles on Friday, September 25, 2026. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Nadia Sohail climbs 75 flights of stairs in the U.S. Bank Tower during Ketchum-Downtown YMCA’s annual Stair Climb in Los Angeles on Friday, September 25, 2026. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Ontario Firefighter Nayar Brera carries 160 pounds as he climbs 75 flights of stairs in the U.S. Bank Tower during Ketchum-Downtown YMCA’s annual Stair Climb in Los Angeles on Friday, September 25, 2026. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Jillian Fowler climbs 75 flights of stairs in the U.S. Bank Tower during Ketchum-Downtown YMCA’s annual Stair Climb in Los Angeles on Friday, September 25, 2026. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

People climb 75 flights of stairs in the U.S. Bank Tower during Ketchum-Downtown YMCA’s annual Stair Climb in Los Angeles on Friday, September 25, 2026. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

LA Fire Captain Justin Spina gets help cooling off after carrying 60 pounds of gear up 75 flights of stairs in the U.S. Bank Tower during Ketchum-Downtown YMCA’s annual Stair Climb in Los Angeles on Friday, September 25, 2026. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Kathryn Handler climbs 75 flights of stairs in the U.S. Bank Tower during Ketchum-Downtown YMCA’s annual Stair Climb in Los Angeles on Friday, September 25, 2026. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Lucie Murray climbs 75 flights of stairs in the U.S. Bank Tower during Ketchum-Downtown YMCA’s annual Stair Climb in Los Angeles on Friday, September 25, 2026. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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Kathryn Handler climbs 75 flights of stairs in the U.S. Bank Tower during Ketchum-Downtown YMCA’s annual Stair Climb in Los Angeles on Friday, September 25, 2026. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Now this is an uplifting experience if ever there was one.
The Ketchum-Downtown YMCA staged its 33rd annual Stair Climb for Los Angeles — and thigh muscles from all over the regions got a workout on Friday.
About 3,000 participants climbed 1,664 steps — that’s 75 floors — to the top of the U.S. Bank Tower to raise money for the Downtown community center.
Not everyone chose not to race to the top — some participants opted for the self-guided scenic walk, dubbed the Urban Hike, which started and ended at the same spot as the stair climb.
The event wrapped up with a block party and beer garden. Chairs were optional.
The Y offers free and low-cost programs for children, teens, families and seniors.