By Jesse Graham
RUNNING up 88 levels of stairs is a feat on its own – doing it wearing more than 25 kilograms of firefighting gear is a whole new level.
But firefighters from around the valley will be taking on the challenge next month, as part of the annual Eureka Climb, raising money for charity.
Seville firefighters Robert Groiss and Mark Clue will be taking on the climb on Sunday, 13 November, climbing up the Eureka tower’s 1642 stairs wearing full firefighting kit, including a breathing apparatus.
Mr Groiss said he had been preparing for the climb by running between seven and 10 kilometres most days, and would soon be moving up to training in the firefighting gear, which weighs more than 25 kilograms.
“The gear is obviously quite heavy, but it’s more about managing your breathing and not overheating, because the gear does not breathe one bit,” he said.
“I mean, you’ve got to push yourself, but not push yourself too hard that you overdo it and collapse.”
He said that he hadn’t completed the Eureka Climb before, but had recently completed the Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climb at the Crown Metropol Hotel.
He said he had already signed up for the Eureka event before the Crown one, and was fund-raising for the latest climb after raising $1500 for the first.
“We’re volunteers, anyway, so we like to do something that gives back, any chance we can,” he said.
Money raised from the climb will go to Whitelion and Interplast Australia and New Zealand, which work with vulnerable youth and provide surgical treatment to people around the world, respectively.
Mr Groiss said he and Mr Clue would be training with their gear on the Mount Donna Buang fire tower, to get the experience of a stair climb before the event got underway.
Warburton firefighter Thomas Wilson and Toolangi CFA’s Dawn Hartog will also be taking part in the event.
The event is open to the general public aged 12 and over, with a special category for firefighters wanting to do the climb in their gear.
Participants can take part in a timed race, or an un-timed climb.
For more information, or to sign up, visit www.eurekaclimb.com.au
