10 of Covington Fire Department's team members, before the 45-story climb
Team defends title in 45-floor climb
COVINGTON, Ky. - In the end, the training paid off: Covington firefighters not only defended their title in the American Lung Association’s Fight for Air Climb in Cincinnati but did so in dominating fashion:
- Covington finished 2 minutes and 19 seconds ahead of the second-place finisher, Ohio’s Anderson Township.
- Covington’s top finisher, Stu Johnson, beat the course record he set last year for the 45-floor climb by an incredible 37 seconds, finishing in 6 minutes and 48 seconds.
- Three of Covington’s team members finished in the top 5.
- All seven of the Covington firefighters who climbed in both 2018 and 2019 finished faster this year.
- And Covington’s 11th team member finished twice as fast as the last finisher of the event.
“It wasn’t any easier than it was the last couple of years, but we were fortunate to come out on top again,” Johnson said. “Everyone on our team did great.”
The Fight for Air Climb is a fund-raiser for the American Lung Association, but Fire Departments in the region have turned it into an annual competition while collecting donations.
First Responders are timed running up 45 flights of stairs in Cincinnati’s Carew Tower while wearing 55 pounds of gear, including a helmet, Air-Pak, and heavy pants and jacket.
Covington started the week with seven team members but four more firefighters signed up at the last minute.
“We should all be proud of these guys for taking the time to train and compete, representing the Covington Fire Department,” Fire Chief Mark Pierce said. “As predicted, our team continues to hold the title as fastest team to the top.”
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