Photo: Suzanne Sausville/WBZ NewsRadio
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — The elevator was not out of order at One Boston Place this weekend, but hundreds of people still chose the stairs.
The American Lung Association hosted its Fight for Air Climb Boston at the 41-floor office tower Saturday. The annual fundraiser saw about six hundred people climbing 789 steps to the top of the building.
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ALA Massachusetts Executive Director Ashley Carrier told WBZ NewsRadio that if someone was out of breath while making the climb, that was the point.
"That way, when people race to the top, they are feeling that sort of feeling in their lungs that people who have lung disease have every day," Carrier said.
1 of 4 Photo: Suzanne Sausville/WBZ NewsRadio
2 of 4 Photo: Suzanne Sausville/WBZ NewsRadio
3 of 4 Photo: Suzanne Sausville/WBZ NewsRadio
4 of 4 Photo: Suzanne Sausville/WBZ NewsRadio
Participants ranged from firefighters in their full gear to members of the Bishop Feehan High School lacrosse team. Lacrosse player Matthew found out how many steps were ahead of him as he prepared to climb.
"I didn’t even know how many steps there was, but now hearing that, I feel like I can definitely do it though," Matthew said. "I’m not scared at all, we got this."
Kelly, who works at a pulmonary office, was thinking of her brother who died from lung cancer during her ascent.
"I’m a little out of breath, but I got lungs that work," Kelly said. "We have a lot of patients in the office that can’t shower ‘cause it’s too hard, so I was thinking of them as well."
The building’s property manager Jason was huffing and puffing when he reached the top.
"Feeling good, but tired. Next year I’ll train a little bit before," Jason said.
WBZ's Suzanne Sausville (@WBZSausville) reports.
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