There is less than a week left before eight members of the Enumclaw Fire Department race up the 1,311 steps reaching 778 feet in vertical elevation at the Columbia Center Tower in an effort to raise money and awareness for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
This year, according to team co-captain Maryn Otto, the department was only able to get eight members in as the annual event has reached such a height of popularity that even among firefighters, registration filled up in about 11 minutes.
Despite a smaller team, Otto, along with Joey Pierotti, Jeri Freeburg, Julia Freeburg, Kyle Jacobson, Steven Lentz, Lyle Bellah and Nona Zilbauer are no less dedicated to achieving their collective $2,500 fundraising goal.
While the fundraising is the primary driver for their participation, Otto admits the department is fraught with Type A personalities who want to make the most of the physical challenge the climb represents as well. "We all want to do our best," she said. "We all want to win. We all want to set goals for the next year."
On her personal fundraising page, Otto shared she has a personal goal to complete the climb in under 20 minutes and is giving herself four years to reach it. In 2012, her chip time was 20:39. "It's a haul," she said. "To shave off a minute is tough stuff."
To show your support for your local firefighters and make a donation, visit the Enumclaw Fire Department Team Page.
Teams Nearby - If you live outside the service area for Enumclaw Fire, here are the team pages for surrounding fire departments as well:
City of Buckley Fire Department (currently in 7th place among top fundraising teams)
