Volunteer Menahga firefighter Alden Yliniemi will use the fire in his belly to compete Saturday in the Race UP the Place fundraiser and competition, sponsored by the American Lung Association.
The event features a race up 35 flights of stairs at Wells Fargo Place, the tallest building in downtown St. Paul, as part of the Winter Carnival.
One of the racing categories - the firefighter's challenge - caught the attention of Yliniemi's friend, Bemidji firefighter Justin Sherwood.
Ylinimi said he agreed to sign up for the event, following Sherwood's invitation, as a way to stay physically fit.
"It's just some good exercise to see how good of shape you are in," said Yliniemi.
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For the firefighter's challenge, all participants must race up 700 stairs with 55 pounds of equipment strapped on.
"It's going to be new for me," Yliniemi said.
A special timing microchip will measure his progress as he hauls up the steps with his jacket, pants, helmet, mask, boots and air tank on.
Racers will ascend the building in waves at 10-second intervals, for an average trip of about 15 breath-quickening minutes.
"We are hoping to beat the average time," Yliniemi said.
As part of the competition, entrants are encouraged to raise funds for the American Lung Association.
Yliniemi's employer, the Hubbard County Developmental Achievement Center, has agreed to stake him in his quest.
Yliniemi added he has been training in his gear for Race UP the Place at Anytime Fitness in the off-peak hours.
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"If you show up in fire department gear, everyone is going to look," said Yliniemi.
Yliniemi also trains with strongman competitor Dave Hanson of Bemidji for the Scott Firefighter Combat Challenge scheduled in May.
Yliniemi said Hanson's training regimen calls for some unorthodox training techniques, like pushing his truck down the driveway.
"You might not see a neighbor for a week or two, but you push your truck out and people will come and talk to you," Yliniemi joked.
As for Race UP the Place, Yliniemi said the event reminds him of the dedication of urban firefighters, who must sometimes climb up many steps to battle blazes. He said he looks forward to the weekend experience as an opportunity to share some camaraderie with other members of his trade.
"It will be fun to go rub elbows with the professionals, and let them know we volunteers are in good shape," Yliniemi said.
