German firefighters take on staircase challenge

Firefighters from across Germany took part in an eight-hour staircase run in a hotel in the city of Hanover on Saturday.

The seven teams of four runners each had to run up and down 18 floors. Despite the effort, the mood was “more than good,” said organizer Florian Menklein.

“There are 301 steps,” explained Menklein. The firefighters covered the distance in full protective gear, with breathing apparatus on their backs. However, they did not have to put on their breathing masks.

The participants came from Hamburg, Fürth in Bavaria, Halle in Saxony-Anhalt, and Dortmund, Essen and Krefeld, all in North Rhine-Westphalia, said Menklein.

This year was the second time the staircase run had been held.