Roberts Creeker Shaun Stephens-Whale, 15, was one of a record number of British Columbians who climbed 739 stairs during the B.C. Lung Association's Climb the Wall for Clean Air competition last Sunday.
His efforts for the past three years in the event have always culminated in large donations for the lung association and personal bests for the teen.
Last year he ran the stairs at the Sheraton Wall Centre in Vancouver with a time of four minutes and 32 seconds. He generated the largest amount raised by an individual, with more than $2,200 in pledges from local individuals and businesses.
This year Shaun planned to break that time record, training every other day by running up and down the stairs in his home 60 times.
"I also run five km in Davis Bay once a week and I compete in five and 10 km runs on my own," said Shaun, who happens to have asthma.
Raising money for the lung association and bettering his own health through exercise seemed like a perfect fit for Shaun.
"I guess you could say it's like raising money for myself," he said.
This year Shaun travelled to the event in Vancouver with his father. He set out to break his time record, feeling confident his training throughout the year would produce a quicker time.
But during the climb Shaun experienced trouble with his asthma. Though he pressed on, he was unable to crack his time record and once again came in at four minutes and 32 seconds.
"If I hadn't had a problem with my asthma, I'm pretty sure I would have beat it," said Shaun.
He ended up placing second overall for the fastest stair climb time. A 25-year-old man came in just three seconds before him.
Shaun has raised $1,963 in pledges for the climb so far and notes he has until March 18 to finish fundraising.
"I hope to raise more money and I hope to break the record for that still," said Shaun.
His previous record for funds raised is about $2,200, which was pledged last year.
If you would like to make a donation to Shaun's climb, you can contact him at 604-740-0162.
