RUNNING USA – Charlotte Regional Sports Commission Announces Race to the Top – First ever Tower Run to scale the new 49-story Duke Energy Center in Uptown Charlotte

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – (March 11, 2011) – The Charlotte Regional Sports Commission, in cooperation with Wells Fargo and Childress Klein Properties, has announced the first ever tower run in Charlotte – Race to the Top taking place on Saturday, March 26, 2011. Participants will compete against gravity and the clock to be the fastest to scale the new 49-story Duke Energy Center in Uptown Charlotte. The race begins at 9:00am although runners will be divided into waves, based on experience level and will receive their individual start times the week of the climb.

The CRSC has also announced a partnership with the Carolina Healthcare Foundation. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Levine Children's Hospital.

The fee for the climb will be $35 dollars and includes a t-shirt and access to the Post-Race Party. Participation is capped at 500 for this year's race and you must be at least 13 years of age to participate. Medals will be awarded to the top three (3) fastest men's and women's climbers and Dick's Sporting Goods is providing $50 gift certificates to the fastest male and female. Registration for Race to the Top can be found at: www.charlottesports.org/racetothetop

Also, any participant showing their race number will be given $2 off admission to the Mint Museum Uptown and the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art. The Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture at Levine Center for the Arts will offer free admission that day for anyone showing a race number.

The Duke Energy Center is located at 550 South Tryon Street near the corner of Levine Center for the Arts and Tryon. More information on Race to the Top can be found at: www.charlottesports.org/racetothetop

About the CRSC
The Charlotte Regional Sports Commission (CRSC) was founded in 1994 at the request of then mayor Richard Vinroot. Charlotte had just hosted the successful NCAA Men's Final Four in 1994 and the need to have an organization dedicated to attracting similar events was clear. The CRSC promotes the Charlotte region by creating sporting events, recruiting and supporting sporting events and organizations and encouraging community participation. These efforts are intended to result in a positive economic impact on the region and to improve its quality of life. The CRSC is a non-profit, privately funded organization.

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