On Tuesday, March 10, UW and UW Medicine employees stepped up for a day of movement, friendly competition and community during the 2026 UW Stair Climb Challenge. Across campuses, just over 500 participants traded elevators for stairwells and found creative ways to move throughout the day.
Together, we climbed an incredible 223,523 total stairs, showing that small actions throughout the day can add up to a powerful collective impact.
And the campus claiming bragging rights this year?
Congratulations to UW Tacoma! (This is UW Tacoma’s second win this winter, after claiming first place in the Husky Strong Winter Games!)
To keep the competition fair across campuses of different sizes, results were averaged based on number of participants who submitted stairs.
The one-day challenge invited faculty, staff and colleagues across UW’s campuses, hospitals and remote locations to participate in whatever way worked best for their body and environment. Whether climbing stairwells, walking hills or converting distance traveled using mobility devices, the goal was simple: move together for well-being.
Power stairwells and community climbs
In addition to climbing throughout the day, participants gathered at “power stairwells” across UW for a boost of encouragement from colleagues and leaders.
Seattle campus: Climbing together outdoors
On the Seattle campus, The Whole U team hosted a community climb starting outside Hall Health Center. Participants gathered midday and climbed together down toward the E18 lot before making their way back up. The outdoor route offered fresh air, movement and a chance to connect with colleagues while tackling the hill together.
Harborview Medical Center: A 12-floor team climb
At Harborview Medical Center, a large group gathered in the Center Tower stairwell for a spirited climb led by Chief Nursing Officer Keri Nasenbeny, Interim Assistant Vice President for Human Resources Pranika Laing and Bonnie J. Decker,
HMC Infection Preventionist. Together with colleagues from across Harborview, participants climbed to the 12th floor of the center tower, turning the stairwell into a moment of shared energy and encouragement.
UW Medical Center: Leadership cheering participants on
At UW Medical Center, the challenge brought visible enthusiasm throughout the halls. CEO Jita Pandya Buno and the entire UWMC executive leadership team gathered in the stairwell areas to cheer on participants as they climbed between floors. The encouragement helped create a fun, supportive atmosphere for staff taking on the challenge during busy workdays.
Participant spotlight: Discovering a passion for stair climbing
For some members of the UW community, stair climbing has become more than a one-day challenge.
Leah Davidson, who works in the UW Tower, shared that her love for stair climbing began during a past Whole U challenge several years ago that encouraged participants to “climb Mount Rainier” through cumulative steps.
That challenge sparked a lasting habit.
Today, Leah regularly climbs outdoor stair routes around Seattle, including the Howe Street Stairs and Blaine Street stairs near Eastlake, often completing 3,000 stairs in a workout along with strength exercises like squats, lunges and push-ups.
“Stair climbing got me through COVID with my mental and physical health intact,” she shared. “Whenever the weather looks iffy and I’m dragging my feet, I remind myself that I have never regretted going once I’m finished.”
Leah says the challenge helped her discover a workout she truly enjoys, and the views from Seattle’s staircases are an added bonus.
Stories like Leah’s show how small challenges can spark long-term habits that support both physical and mental well-being.
Climbing for a cause
For some members of the UW community, stair climbing is about more than movement, it’s also about supporting important causes.
One of those Huskies is Kevin Jones from UW Medical Center – Northwest, who is preparing to take on the Columbia Tower Big Climb this month to support the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Read Kevin’s story and why he’s stepping up for a cure.
Thank you to our participants and The Whole U sponsors
Whether you climbed a single flight or dozens throughout the day, every step contributed to the collective momentum of this challenge.
Thank you to everyone who participated and helped bring energy to stairwells across UW. Congratulations again to UW Tacoma for taking the 2026 title!
And of course, thank you to BECU for sponsoring The Whole U!