(Not) Our Daily Dread: Take the first step

Sometime this afternoon, there will be about 2,000 crazies running up the 75-story U.S. Bank Tower -- the tallest building on the West Coast -- in downtown L.A. as a way to build toward a better place to live.

That's about 1,500 steps to climb. People can watch on a Jumbotron screen if they're not up to doing the run and just happen to be leaving work early.

The Hope Street Race Expo and Stair Climb to the Top benefits the YMCA's Ketchum Downtown Center.

Ceremonies begin at 2:30 p.m. The race is at 3 p.m.

The course record: 9 minutes, 28 seconds.

Those who stand to benefit are more than 2,000 children, families and seniors in the downtown area, including the Rampart-Westlake Montessori Preschool and Day Care Center for low-income families.

More info: www.YMCAStairClimb.org.