Racers run for CASA

For Press Publications

More than 700 stair-climbing enthusiasts of all ages went through a grueling ascent to reach the top of Oakbrook Terrace Tower during the 10th annual “Tackle the Tower” Saturday morning.

This breathtaking fundraiser was presented by the American Lung Association of DuPage and McHenry Counties, and proceeds from the pledges will help the American Lung Association increase school asthma education, smoking-prevention programs, and lung-disease research.

American Lung Association Executive Director Tad Schlake said he was excited about the big turnout.

“We’re excited about all of the help from the 60 volunteers, and it should raise about $18,000 for lung disease,” Schlake said.

David Brown, a director at the American Lung Association and director of the event, worked with Schlake to organize the climb.

“I enjoy working with the volunteers, the climbers, and our sponsors,” Brown said. “We couldn’t do it without them. We had a very successful event today, and I think that’s attributed to the volunteers.”

In stairwells filled with dry air, participants had to conquer 680 steps on 62 winding flights of stairs to reach to the finish line: the 31st floor.

Greeting climbers at the top was volunteer paramedic B.J. Stewart, who works for the Kishwaukee Community Hospital in DeKalb. He and other American Lung Association volunteers were helping climbers to unwind and find water provided by Sparkling Spring Water. Stewart was responsible for watching for climbers who might become overwhelmed by the climb and experience breathing problems.

“Most people out here are somewhat physically fit in order to handle the steps and their vitals are taken prior to [the climb] by a doctor on the bottom floor,” Stewart said. “I come here with no intention of ever having to crack an oxygen bottle, and I haven’t yet.”

The first climb consisted of competitive participants from six different age groups.

The oldest climber, in her late 70s was Ottorina Bonaventura of Scheryville, IN who said she could have gone further. She did not prepare for the events but said she hikes, bikes, and uses step aerobics for exercise.

“I have never done anything like this, and it was much easier than I thought it would be,” Bonaventura said. “I felt my lungs a little bit,” she added.

Fifty-year-old Gene Woloszyn placed first in his age group (50-59) and came in fifth overall. He said he is never totally prepared, but that he does train for the event by biking, skiing and running upstairs in a 10-story building.

“If I had an earlier start, I think I would have saved the baby at five seconds, but that’s all right,” said Woloszyn. “I had to pass a few people, which slowed me a little bit, but no big deal, I beat the second place in my age group by a minute and a half, so I feel great.”

Tying for first place with Sheldon Nidetz, 42 of Wheeling in the men’s overall competition was not was 35-year-old Ken Libowicz of Elmhurst expected.

For both first-place winners, their time was 3 minutes, 8 seconds, followed by Richard Shipley, 31 of Chicago with 3:17.

“I am disappointed because the score I got today was not as good as while I was training for this event,” said Libowicz, who usually averages 3 minutes during his rigorous training at the Chicago Mercantile Executive Building.

In the women’s overall competition, Anna Wright, 38 of Naperville placed first with 4 minutes, 4 seconds, followed by Suzanne O’Malley, 37, of Lockport with 4:21 and Gail Miller, 39 of Hinsdale with 4:43.

The second climb to take place was the corporate climb in which 22 teams composed of corporate employees participated.

In the Corporate Team Event, The Alliance took the Swiftest Oakbrook Terrace Team Award; Fitness Formula won the Fastest Large Team Award; Sports Med Center captured the Fastest Open Team Award; Modern Business Technology won as Fastest Small Team, and S-B Power Tools celebrated the Largest Team Award.

Vince Gutekanst and his wife, Gail, found the corporate climb brutal.

“I’ve done it the last four, and this year is probably the most difficult,” said the exhausted Gutekanst. “I hit the wall at about the eighth floor. As I say every year, I’m never going to do it again, but by friend Dick Schlake, talks me into doing it.”

Last to tackle the tower were suited firefighters from various fire departments. With the firefighters in full masks and using their 30-minute compressed air cylinders, the bells in their masks were ringing, reminding them that they had less than 5 minutes of air left in their tanks as they neared the top of the tower.

The only female firefighter participating was Julie Mattera of the DeKalb Fire Department. She said it was easier for her this year because she had an adrenaline rush.

“Finishing is always a challenge; I’m always in for a good challenge,” she said.

Firefighter Ken McAfee of the Woodridge Fire District found the climb a challenge in his 10-pound boots and all of his gear.

“Your air pack is a positive-pressure air pack, so it’s a little harder to exhale, so when you’re breathing out you’re breathing against a little resistance,” he explained.

Climbers took advantage of free massages offered by several masseurs at the base of the tower.

“They really just kind of melt in our hands,” said Lillian Mundt, an instructor at the Wellness & Massage Training Institute. “They’re just really pumped.”

Enjoying her massage from massage therapist Fran Reyna of Creating Harmony Therapeutic Massage was Chris Pounders.

“This is the second-best part to the fact that it’s a charitable event. I knew before I came here I was going to have this massage: it was part of the plan,” Pounders said.