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ELEVATED MOMENTS

Elite Stair Climber | World Record Holder
Key to the City Recipient | Founder of StairClimbElite

Troy R. Alston

  • Founder & Creator of StairClimbElite

  • 2 x World Record Holder (Atlas World Records)

  • 14-Time Consecutive Champion – Jacksonville Fight For Air Climb (2012–2025)

  • First—and still the only—competitive stair climber awarded a Key to the City

  • First African American to compete at the highest levels of competitive stair climbing

  • First African American—and American male—to win an international stair climb and set a course record

  • First African American male ranked in the Top 10 in the world (Ranked #2 in the World (2020–2021 Intermediate Rankings)

  • Second American male in history to be ranked #2 in the world (Ranked #2 in the World (2020–2021 Intermediate Rankings)

  • Competed in 145+ climbs across 65+ buildings and freestanding structures over 15 years

  • Set 50+ course records across the U.S., Canada, and Europe

  • Competed in 80+ American Lung Association stair climbs

  • Set course records at American Lung Association stair climbs across the Southeast U.S.

  • Undefeated in Florida stair climbs for 10 consecutive years (2015–2025)

  • 2026 Marquis Who’s Who in America Inductee

I’m one of the world’s top-ranked stair climbers
and a proud ambassador of the fast-growing sport
of towerrunning (competitive stair climbing).
Based in Tampa, Florida, I’ve built my reputation on
explosive power, elite endurance, and a relentless
drive to take on some of the tallest and toughest
stair climbs in the world—one step at a time.

 

Before stair climbing, I was a track and field athlete
specializing in the 400-meter hurdles. I originally
discovered stair climbing as a cross-training tool,
but what started as a way to stay in shape quickly
turned into a passion—and eventually a career. My
breakthrough came in 2010 at the Ft. Lauderdale
Fight For Air Climb, where I won the event and set a
new course record. That moment launched my
journey in the sport.


 

One of the defining moments of my career came in 2016, when I broke a 32-year-old course record
at the Skylon Tower in Niagara Falls, Canada—previously held by the late Olympic cyclist Gordon
Singleton. I returned in 2017 and pushed even further, breaking my own record with a time of 3:02
and establishing the fastest recorded ascent of the tower. This performance not only surpassed a benchmark that had stood since 1984, but also solidified a historic achievement in competitive
stair climbing.

 

I was later officially certified by Atlas World Records as the World Record Holder for the fastest
stair-climb ascent of the Skylon Tower. The 660-step climb, completed in 3 minutes and 2 seconds, was verified through civic recognition, independent media documentation, and Atlas’ adjudication process—reflecting elite endurance, speed, and sustained excellence at the highest level of the sport. In recognition of this achievement, I was also awarded the Key to the City by Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati and became the first American male to win that international event.

 

In February 2026, I was selected for inclusion in Marquis Who’s Who in America in recognition of sustained leadership, career achievement, and meaningful contributions to competitive stair climbing, athletics, and community engagement. This honor reflects more than 15 years of dedication, discipline, and commitment to excellence.
 

To date, I’ve competed in 148 stair climbs across 34 cities,
16 states, and 2 countries. Over the course of my career, I’ve
climbed more than 136,000 steps—over 5,000 floors and more
than 14 vertical miles—while setting 50+ course records along
the way.

 

I also made history as the first internationally ranked African
American stair climber, reaching as high as No. 2 in the world in
the 2020–2021 Intermediate Rankings. Being in that position
means more than performance to me—it’s about representation,
visibility, and helping open doors for others in the sport. In
addition, I hold an Atlas World Record for Most Consecutive
Victories in a Single Recurring Sporting Event (Stair-Climbing),
achieving 14 consecutive first-place finishes at the Jacksonville
Fight For Air Climb from 2012 to 2025. This record reflects over a decade of sustained dominance, consistency, and elite performance in one of the sport’s most demanding endurance events.

 

Beyond competition, I’m deeply committed to climbing with purpose. Through my long-standing involvement with the American Lung Association’s Fight For Air Climb series, I’ve participated in
80 events, using my platform to raise awareness and support research for lung health and
respiratory diseases.

 

My passion for fitness and community led me to create StairClimbElite—a brand built to motivate and equip others to push beyond their limits. Through coaching, content, and apparel, I help athletes at all levels elevate their performance, both physically and mentally.
 

Before all of this, I competed at Warner University, where I earned both my undergraduate and graduate degrees while building a strong track and field career. I was a school and conference
record holder in the 400-meter hurdles, a three-time conference
champion, and a multiple-time all-conference athlete.

 

Whether I’m racing up skyscrapers or helping someone prepare
for their first climb, I’m focused on one thing—continuing to push
limits and redefine what’s possible, one stair, one finish line,
one breakthrough at a time.

Hometown: Jacksonville, Florida

Current Residence:
Tampa, Florida

High School:

   - Jean Ribault High School (Freshman–Sophomore)

   - Westside High School (Junior–Senior)
 

College: Warner University

   - B.A. in Business Marketing, 2009

   - MBA, 2011

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