Public fitness and civic celebration on the Rocky Steps where participants try to beat the 72-step climb in under 12 seconds.
The Rocky Steps Challenge returns to The Rocky Steps on Saturday, November 7, from 9 to 11 a.m. It's a public fitness and civic celebration hosted by the Philadelphia Visitor Center on the city's most famous steps, and the whole thing centers on one specific goal: beating the 72-step climb in under 12 seconds. If you've spent any time around the museum, you know exactly which steps these are.
Participants gather at the PMA Apron to take on the climb, which is the main feature of the morning. The 12-second mark is the benchmark to beat, and that's where the challenge gets its name. It's a sprint up the 72 steps, and the clock is the only thing that matters. If you're not used to running stairs, it's a good idea to arrive early and warm up before you commit to a timed run.
There's a second part to the morning, too. Along with the climb, you can test your reflexes with the 'Orange Toss Sprint' across the apron. It's a different kind of challenge—less about raw speed and more about coordination—and it runs alongside the main event, so you can do both without having to choose one or the other. Between the two, there's plenty to keep you moving for the full two hours.
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It's a morning for anyone who wants to see how they stack up against the city's most famous climb. The event runs from 9 to 11 a.m. at The Rocky Steps, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA 19130.
