Wilmington Firefighter, Residents ‘Fight For Air’ in Boston

Written by Danielle Masterson

One firefighter from Wilmington climbed over 40 flights of stairs in full turnout gear this weekend in the name of charity, and he was joined by several other of the town's residents at the event.

Along with first responders from all over Massachusetts, the Medford Fire Department member and Wilmington native Paul Doyon climbed the stairs of the BNY Mellon Center on Washington Street in Boston on Saturday as part of the American Lung Association’s annual “Fight For Air” event.

Called a “vertical road race” by organizers, the event raises money and awareness for lung cancer, asthma, air pollution and other breathing disorders.  

Wilmington residents CJ Witalisz, Coryden Phillips, Alex Brown, Keri Beman, Nick Diienno, Kimberly Kuhn and Theresa Brown all ran the event for various organizations in addition to Doyon running in his firefighter gear.

Witalisz placed highest from Wilmington group, finishing 75th overall with a time of 7:14.

Ryan Thomson, a Portland, Maine firefighter, won the firefighter division; while Andrew Hashway of Somerville, a part of the Gentle Giant Moving Company team, finished first out of all entrants.

For a complete list of winners, click here.

For a complete list of firefighter winners, click here.