45°
Mindy Johnston recruited her family to join the Fight For Air Climb: Tackle Trump Parc. Johnston, development manager for the American Lung Association in Connecticut, said they don't have much of a choice.
"I've got my daughters in, my son is coming from North Carolina," Mindy says. "It's something we all like to do."
Saturday's second annual event at Trump Parc begins at 10 a.m. Climbers start in 20-minute intervals, beginning with racers followed by runners, walkers and firefighters. Organizations solicited donations to raise funds for the lung association, and Johnston is hopeful of reaching a goal of $93,000. The group raised $72,000 last year.
Johnston, who finished first in her age group last year, says she wanted a unique event. She had heard about stair climbs as competitive events and decided it might be a worthwhile fundraiser. "There are so many running events and walks,'' says Mindy, who will race up the stairs with daughters Becky and Kiley. "This is unique. It's a great accomplishment to know you can climb 34 flights of stairs."
The climbers go up 590 stairs at Trump Parc; Mindy covered the distance last year in 5 minutes and 41 seconds. She has also competed in climbs in Hartford and at the Yale Bowl. Another race will be held in February in Boston.
Stair climbs are also popular among firefighters. Teams from Stamford, Norwalk, Westport and Ridgefield will climb, as will police groups from Stamford, Greenwich, Darien and State Police Troop K. Several corporations, fitness groups and other organizations will also compete. Ray Schneider, who works at Norwalk Hospital and is a team member of the Connecticut Health Care Stair Runners, will be the first one up Trump Parc.
The limit is 400 climbers. People can register the day of the event.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Norwalk and receive free news updates.
