Troy Alston
2025 Houston Fight for Air Climb | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Troy Renard Alston |
| Nickname(s) | Stair Master, Stair Master Flex |
| Nationality | American |
| Born | March 15, 1987 Jacksonville, Florida |
| Height | 5'8 |
| Weight | 150 |
| Website | StairClimbElite.com |
| Sport | |
| Country | United States of America |
| Sport | Tower running, Stair climbing |
| College team | Warner University |
| Club | StairClimbElite |
| Achievements and titles | |
| Highest world ranking | 2nd in the World (Intermediate 2020 – 2021) |
Troy R. Alston (born March 15, 1987 in Jacksonville, Florida) is an elite American stair climber, tower runner. Recognized as a trailblazer in the sport, Alston has competed in over 140 stair climbing events worldwide, including 80 climbs in support of the American Lung Association. He is the first internationally ranked African American stair climber and has set more than 50 course records across 16 U.S. states, 33 cities, and two countries.
Early life and education
Troy Alston was born in Jacksonville, Florida. He attended Warner University, where he earned both undergraduate and graduate degrees. During his collegiate career, Alston competed in cross country and track and field, specializing in the 400-meter hurdles and relay events.
Sun Conference Men’s Outdoor Track & Field All-Time Awards[1]
- 3× All-Conference
- 2007 – 400m Hurdles Champion, 4×400m Relay
- 2008 – 400m Hurdles Champion
- 2009 – 400m Hurdles Champion, 4×800m Relay
- 2010 – 2nd Place, 400m Hurdles
- 1× Academic All-Conference
- 2010
Career
Alston began his stair climbing career in the early 2010s and quickly rose to prominence through his consistent performances and record-setting times. Over the span of his career, he has become known for his endurance, speed, and precision in vertical racing.
A landmark moment came in 2016 when Alston broke a 32-year-old course record at the Skylon Tower in Niagara Falls, Canada, previously held by the late Canadian Olympic cyclist Gordon Singleton. He bested the record by three seconds. In 2017, Alston returned to the Skylon Tower and lowered his own record by an additional 19 seconds. In recognition of this achievement, Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati awarded him the Key to the City, making Alston the first and only competitive stair climber to receive this honor.[2]
Winning the Skylon Tower event also made Alston the first American male to win an international stair climbing competition. His accomplishments have not only elevated his status in the sport but also opened the door for greater visibility and inclusion, particularly for African Americans in stair climbing.
Personal life
Outside of stair climbing, Alston competes in Masters Track and Field. In 2025 he captured his first Indoor National Title in the Men's (35-39) Pentathlon. He currently resides in Tampa, Florida.
References
https://thesunconference.com/sports/2009/3/25/FSC%20Championship%20Results.aspx?path=mtrack