The morning fog hasn’t yet lifted from the North Saskatchewan River Valley when I spot them—dozens of determined Edmontonians climbing the stairs at Louise McKinney Park. Some are in workout gear, others in business attire with running shoes hastily swapped for dress shoes tucked in backpacks. They’re part of something bigger than their daily exercise routine.
“I’m on stair number 8,742 this week,” says Melissa Chen, a 34-year-old accountant who stops briefly to check her fitness tracker. “My kids think I’m crazy, but they’re why I’m doing this.”
Chen is one of thousands participating in Edmonton’s 1 Million Stairs Challenge, a bold community initiative launched by local health non-profit Steps Forward. The campaign asks participants to collectively climb one million stairs throughout September while raising funds for children’s health programs across the city.
The genius of the challenge lies in its accessibility. Edmonton’s river valley—the largest urban park system in North America—offers abundant outdoor staircases for climbers of all fitness levels. From the punishing 200-step climb at Glenora to the gentler ascents scattered throughout the valley’s 160 kilometers of maintained pathways, participants can join wherever they live.
“We wanted something that connects Edmontonians to our greatest natural asset while addressing the growing concern about children’s health,” explains Dr. Sarah Washington, pediatrician and Steps Forward board member. “After the pandemic, we’ve seen alarming declines in children’s cardiovascular health and increases in anxiety. This initiative targets both.”
Recent data from Alberta Health Services indicates a 12% rise in childhood obesity rates since 2019, with corresponding increases in early-onset diabetes concerns. What makes the stairs challenge particularly effective is how it transforms exercise into a community event rather than a chore.
At Emily Murphy Park, I meet Jordan Blackwater, a high school gym teacher who’s brought his entire Grade 10 class. “These kids spend seven hours a day sitting in classrooms and evenings on screens,” he tells me as his students count stairs aloud behind him. “Getting them outside, feeling their heart rates climb—that’s education too.”
The challenge has spread beyond individual participants. Corporate Edmonton has embraced the initiative, with companies like PCL Construction and Stantec forming competitive teams. The Katz Group, owners of the Oilers, pledged to match $10 for every 1,000 stairs climbed by participants during the challenge’s first week.
“We’re already at 427,000 stairs collectively, and we’re not even halfway through the month,” says Maria Suarez, Steps Forward’s executive director. “The community response has honestly left us breathless—in the best possible way.”
The impact extends beyond physical health. The funds raised—currently sitting at $86,000 against a $150,000 goal—will support three key initiatives: expanding school breakfast programs in lower-income neighborhoods, funding mental health first aid training for youth sports coaches, and creating six new accessible playgrounds across Edmonton.
At City Hall, Mayor Amarjeet Sohi has publicly endorsed the challenge, climbing 100 stairs with elementary school students from Riverdale School. “This initiative embodies Edmonton’s community spirit,” Sohi remarked after catching his breath. “We’re literally stepping up for the next generation.”
The challenge has sparked unexpected connections across demographics. At the Royal Glenora stairs, I watch as seniors from the nearby Canterbury Foundation retirement home carefully navigate the steps alongside young professionals on lunch breaks.
“I’m doing twenty stairs a day,” says Herbert Wilson, 83, leaning on his cane. “When I was a boy, we climbed without counting. Now every step matters.” Wilson’s daughter adds that he’s been more motivated to exercise since joining the challenge than during months of physiotherapy.
Local businesses have joined the effort too. Transcend Coffee offers free drip coffee to anyone who shows their stairs tracker app before 9 AM, while United Sport & Cycle provides free blister care kits to registered participants.
The initiative hasn’t been without challenges. Early September rainstorms forced indoor adaptations, with West Edmonton Mall opening its staircases for early-morning climbers before shopping hours. The organizers have also faced criticism about accessibility for wheelchair users, responding by creating alternative “distance challenge” options.
As the sun sets over the river valley, the stairs at Victoria Park fill with after-work climbers. Among them is City Councillor Anne Stevenson, who represents downtown Edmonton.
“What I love about this initiative is that it combines individual effort with collective impact,” Stevenson says between breaths. “Each step is personal, but the million stairs? That’s all of us together.”
With ten days remaining in the challenge, organizers are confident they’ll surpass both the stairs and fundraising goals. They’re already discussing how to make this an annual event, possibly expanding to Calgary and other Alberta communities next year.
“This isn’t just about one million stairs,” Suarez reflects as we watch the sunset climbers. “It’s about building a foundation for healthier kids, step by step.”
For those interested in joining the final push, registration remains open through the Steps Forward website, with no minimum commitment required. As one participant’s handmade t-shirt proclaims: “Every stair counts.”
