The Firefighter Challenge is the self-proclaimed "Toughest Two Minutes in Sports."
And you know what? They aren't wrong. A brutal outdoor course with five grueling events in full turnout gear isn't just for fun.
It's for firefighters. And It's for World-Record Holder, Katie Ross.
Southeast Regional Firefighter Challenge
This year, the Southeast Regional Firefighter Challenge took place in Lexington, KY which is where our North American branch is headquartered. The weather was calm and cool, but the competition was fast and fierce. HAIX® featured heavily. Many competitors wear our Airpower® XR1 Pro, Fire Eagle® Xtreme and Missoula 2.1 boots.
For those unfamiliar with the Firefighter Challenge competition, competitors begin by sprinting up a high-rise tower carrying a 42lb hose pack. Once on the top, they manually hoist a donut rolled large diameter hose, also weighing 42lbs. After sprinting back down the stairs, they simulate forcible entry on a Keiser Force Machine, using a nine-pound shot mallet to drive a 160lb steel sled at least five feet. The fourth event has competitors navigating a 140-ft slalom course, then they drag a heavy, charged hose line while sprinting. At the end of the drag, they must knock down a target using water sprayed from the nozzle. Finally, competitors must rescue a 165-lb manikin in a victim rescue simulator, completing a 106ft drag going backwards.
All these activities relate directly to the fire service. These everyday industrial athletes routinely save lives and property thanks to hours of training, utilizing the same set of skills that the top Firefighter and Firefit Challenge competitors use to blaze through the course in record times. "Not only is [the competition] physically demanding, it's job related; allowing me to get more comfortable working in full bunker gear and on air gave me confidence on scene" says Katie Ross, current women's World-Record holder. "Our job is not easy and I do believe that running the challenge prepares you not only physically, but mentally, to accomplish tough tasks that are presented at emergency calls."
HAIX® had a chance to learn a bit more about the new world-record holder, Brampton Fire's Katie Ross.
Katie Ross, World-Record Holder
Current world-record holder Katie Ross has been a firefighter with the City of Brampton Fire and Emergency Services in Ontario, Canada since 2017. She was first introduced to competition courses during her recruitment. Part of the long-standing tradition at Brampton Fire was allowing rookies to run an individual [race]. "With the history that Brampton Fire holds, we were fortunate to have Zuess Peter Reid, a previous World Champion, teach us quick tips before we ran our race" Katie tells us. "From that day forward I knew this sport was something I would love."
Katie found herself "hungry" for better times, knowing firefighting is a physically demanding career. And she wanted to be competitive in male and female categories. She began competing in the Fall of 2017, participating in one regional competition, followed by the Canadian Nationals Firefit Event and then finally, the Firefighter Challenge Worlds event held in Louisville, KY. "The more I learned about the challenge and what it is all about I knew I wanted to be a part of the community and set personal goals. It's a community that is extremely competitive yet so supportive" says Katie. "Everyone wants everyone to hit a personal best, the friendships built through this challenge are some of my best friends."
Katie is one of the first females to break the sub-2-minute mark, and she holds the current world record, completing the course in Lexington in 1:55.51 minutes. On the Canadian Firefit course, she was the first and only female to run a sub 1:50 with her personal best at 1:42. She is now chasing sub 1:40. Katie wears the HAIX® Fire Eagle® Xtreme during competitions. "I love my HAIX® boots- I am so excited to be a part of Team HAIX® and represent- not only have I been lucky enough to set records in them I absolutely love the lace system- providing the perfect amount of support. Going up the tower they feel lighter in the toe area which I love!" We can't take credit for the thousands of hours of work Katie puts in, but we love that we can support her feet in the process!
For Katie, and for many others, the firefighter challenge competitions simulate the physical demands of their day-to-day jobs. But they also represent the camaraderie of the fire service. "My favorite part about competing in the challenge is meeting people from all over the world. Cheering each other on to push harder- I'm known to be a little loud on the sidelines, but I do believe when you hear the crowd roar, you're reminded you're never alone."
Though never alone, competitors are largely self-funded. Due to overall rising costs, many of them try and work overtime and side-hustles to offset costs so they can continue to compete for love of the sport. All this hard work and sacrifice is paying off for folks like Katie. She is helping close the gap between male and female athletes. "I do believe that with hard work, commitment and self-belief you can accomplish [your] goals."
We can't wait to see what she does next.
For more information about Katie, check out her Instagram page, @firefitkatie.
