Climbing for a cause

Three members of the Libby Volunteer Fire Department ventured to Seattle, Wash., to participate in the Scott’s Firefighter Stairclimb Sunday, March 6. The three firefighters, Scott Beagle, Jason Sunell and Neil Benson, all completed the 69-floor climb and, in the process, raised $3,348 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

The event, now in its 25th year, has raised more than $12 million for the organization.

“This year was our 25th annual Scott Firefighter Stairclimb, and it’s amazing to see the impact it’s had on our patients and mission during the last 25 years,” said Leukemia and Lymphoma Society campaign specialist Julie Peters. “Over the course of this event its raised over $12 million dollars for the LLS, and that is helping our patients survive their disease and live longer, healthier lives. The participants never fail to amaze me with the amount of training they put into this event, but even more so, the amount of heart they put into fundraising for our mission.”

Libby’s fire department has had participants in the event for the past three years. Beagle has been involved in all three of those races, with Sunell and Benson racing during for the past two years.

Beagle finished with the best time of the Libby contingent, breaking the 20-minute mark with a time of 19:22, a personal best. Benson finished in 22:01, also a personal best. Sunell completed the course in 27:39.

In the event, 1,925 firefighters, in full gear, raced up 69 flights of stairs in Seattle’s Columbia Center Tower in a race against their comrades and themselves as part of the battle against cancer. Beagle said the guys from Libby were proud to be part of such a great event and thanked the members of the community who supported them in the race.

“The three of us where very happy with raising $3,348 which is the highest amount we have raised in the three years we have participated in the stairclimb,” Beagle said. “We are very thankful of our friends, family, fire department and local businesses that supported us by donating to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.”

Beagle said the race, while very fulfilling, is a grueling endeavor.

“I think if you ask anyone who completes in  the climb they will say that it is one of the most miserable  15 to 25 minutes they can think of,” Beagle said. “It is not a fun challenge to complete, but when you get to the top of the building and get your turnouts off, it is a great sense of accomplishment. The commodore with the other 1,700 plus fireman from across the United States and other countries is an incredible experience and a deep feeling of pride to be at this event representing Montana and Libby fire department.”

The Libby firefighters raced against themselves and against each other, with a year’s worth of bragging rights on the line. 

“You know as long as I am the fastest Libby climber I am always happy,” Beagle said. “I’ve got bragging rights for another year!”

Missoula firefighter Andrew Drobeck was the fastest runner in the event, completing the 69 flights in 10:43.