November 13, 2006

Firefighter climbs 103 floors

       Just days after competing in the Tyco/Scott Firefighter Combat Challenge in Henderson, Nevada, part-time Fire Inspector Steve Coover was off to Chicago, Illinois for a different kind of challenge.  This time it was for a jaunt to the top of the Sears Tower, but not by elevator, but by climbing stairs!  All 2,109 of them to be exact.  And if just climbing the 103 floors wasn't enough, he did so while wearing full firefighter turnout gear and also wearing an air-pack on his back.

         The event, dubbed "Go Vertical", is held each year at the heralded Sears Tower in downtown Chicago and consists of over 1,500 participants.  Steve finished number 1,401 overall with a time of 50 minutes, 52 seconds.

         The event was held to raise money for the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation.  The foundation is dedicated to fighting cancer by supporting the most brilliant and creative young scientists in the nation who are aiming to find new answers for all forms of cancer.  If you would like more information about the foundation or the Go Vertical event, click HERE.

 

           
(Click on a thumbnail to enlarge photo)

  

---