Climb the 75 Stories (1,500 Steps) of the U.S. Bank Building Friday

If you've got the day off Friday (jobless, furloughed, ditching?), then maybe skipping the beach is in order so you can climb the tallest building west of the Mississippi.

Every year, the popular Stair Climb to the Top raises money for the downtown YMCA with some 1,500 runners expected this Friday. The honor will cost you $100 (that's the fundraising minimum), whether you raise the money or pay your own way. On-site registration begins at 2 p.m.

Elite runners who make stair climb races a traveling hobby will easily climb the building in nine minutes, but the people at the YMCA say many finish in around 20 minutes. One race category includes police and fireman who will race in full gear.

If you're near by, but not in the mood to race, the day also holds a free expo and street fair starting at 2:30 p.m. on Hope Street with live music, food, retail booths and a jumbotron screen where the public may view the race.