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BISBEE — The Bisbee 1000 Stair Climb has reached 1,000 again.
About 1,325 people ran and walked the course that including nine sets of stairs and more than 1,000 individual steps for the 17th annual event.
It was possibly the biggest increase in participation the event has seen, and it was up from about 980 participants in 2006, said Cynthia Conroy, who is the founder and president of the event and Save Our Stairs Inc.
Tony and Buffy Clemente of Sierra Vista have competed in the Saguaro National Park Run the Army Ten-Miler and other races and took part in the Bisbee 1000 for the first time this year.
 Participants hoof their way up the Old Bisbee’s stairs during Saturday’s stair climb. More than 1,000 people participated. (Mark Levy-Herald/Review) |
Sometimes races can be “business-like,” Tony Clemente said.
“This was much more relaxed,” he said. “I was just enjoying myself.”
Even when stairs became congested everyone took it in stride, Buffy Clemente said.
“A lot of people were having conversations coming up,” she said.
The race had another added benefit, said Rosann Williams of Mesa, a first-time participant.
“You get to see different parts of the town you don’t normally see,” Williams said.
Patti Dennis of Mesa has participated in the race for 10 years and was glad for the addition of timing microchips for more accurate race times.
They were especially helpful since the race has undoubtedly grown, she said.
Karen and Ron Zwick of Tucson said seeing crowds of runners and motorcycles clashing in the streets Saturday morning was a unique sight to Bisbee.
The six-time participants said the race is something they look forward to each October. But with the additions of high altitudes and stairs, it isn’t an easy one.
“The trick is to never look up. Keep your eyes focused in front of you,” Ron Zwick said.
“They’re grueling and they’re tough,” Karen Zwick said. “It’s the toughest three miles you’ll ever run.”
But the feeling after finishing was worth the challenge for her.
“It’s very uplifting,” she said.
After the race, some participants watched the Cochise College Ice Man competition, where participants raced up 153 steps while carrying an 8-pound block of ice with antique ice tongs. Others browsed a health fair and the “Made in Bisbee” themed arts and craft show outside of St. Patrick Catholic Church.
The “Made in Bisbee” fair is helping to shape the Bisbee 1000 into a bigger event, Conroy said. She hopes the fair will draw more people in the future, even people not participating in the race.
Katie Hough, Jim and Lisa Huff, and Brent Tuley were looking for some chairs, shade and food after the race while enjoying music by Trainwreck.
They decided to participate last minute for a fun experience with friends, and the course was difficult, especially the stair sets with more than 1,000 steps.
“No. 3 and No. 8 are spirit breakers,” Jim Huff said.
But the cheering from the people whose homes they passed helped along the way.
“It makes all the difference,” Hough said.
The race was formed in 1991 to save Bisbee’s deteriorating stairways. Since that goal was accomplished, Save Our Stairs Inc., the event sponsor, dedicates event proceeds to health related programs. This year proceeds will fight childhood obesity by assisting programs that focus on healthy diets and safe activities for children, Conroy said.
The efforts and teamwork throughout the year from the Save Our Stairs Inc. board members, the event sponsors and partners helped the event grow in participation by more than 35 percent, Conroy said.
“The course was in it’s cleanest and best condition it’s ever been,” she said.
They strive to improve the event each year, and Conroy has some goals for next year’s Bisbee 1000, including staggered start times to ease congestion on the course and more street closures to lessen the traffic at the event.
And at next year’s Bisbee 1000, always held the third weekend in October, she hopes to see 2,000 participants.
HERALD/REVIEW reporter Laura Ory can be reached at 515-4683.
azdave wrote on Oct 23, 2007 8:53 AM: