In memory of the 343 FDNY firefighters that lost their lives on September 2011, Robert participated in a memorial stair climb.  Hundreds of firefighters from around Virginia came to Richmond to climb 22 flights of stairs five times to represent the 110 floors of the Twin Towers.

Ladder trucks from Richmond and Henrico flew the US flag.

The pipes and drums played.

The climbers.

 

My favorite climber.

I was able to volunteer and was honored to support the climbers as they came by the 17th floor.  Sweaty, fatigued, and determined, they were an inspiration.

The starting line up of the 25th Parkersburg Half-Marathon

And my favorite fresh, ready-to-run runner!

And they're off!

A spirited pace at about mile 1.5.

The group was headed up this bridge right after the turn in the photo above.

This is about mile 10.5.  He's coming...

Getting a little closer.

Climbing...

He's going at it!  You cannot see it, but about a quarter mile ahead of him is the favored Tim Horton's.  That's where I spent my morning.

The finish line!  A welcome descent.

Okay, the photographer is pretty bad.  The post-race shot.

Again, a photographer failure.  This was a fun sprinkler set-up providing a gentle cool shower for the hot runners.

The post race reward.

We did a bit of shopping in West Virginia.

Including supporting several collegiate and high school teams.

 

 

 I think we'll be going back!