FAIRBANKS — If running up 1,311 steps sounds painful, imagine wearing full firefighter bunker gear while you’re at it.

That’s what six members of the Chena Goldstream Fire Department did Sunday as they took part in the Scott Firefighter Stairclimb in Seattle’s Columbia Center.

Cory Wagner had the best time for Chena Goldstream, climbing the 69-story course in 17 minutes, 41.05 seconds.

Ashley Wages was the top woman from Alaska in 22:04.45.

The 24-year-old hardly had time to train, using the department’s stair-climber twice per week and running when she could.

Surprisingly, she wasn’t reeling from the after-affects Monday.

Five firefighters from Anchorage and Wasilla also competed.

Alyssa Quaile said the Alaska firefighters were shown warm hospitality by their Seattle counterparts, who offered tips such as wetting gloves so they grip the handrail better.

Quaile, a 21-year-old University of Alaska Fairbanks student, trained in a UAF dormitory building, running 8 1/2 flights 10 times per session. She had a slow-and-steady strategy that seemed a little too sluggish at the start.

“I went ridiculously slow at first,” she said.

By the time Quaile reached floor 40, she was hitting her stride, but she started to tire at floor 50.

The final 15 flights were brutal for Quaile, especially in the hot fire gear. With some help from volunteers pouring water down her back, she lurched to the finish in 25:47.75, certain she was going to vomit.

“They pretty much had to drag me down the hallway,” she said, noting that she did not throw up.

Wages and Quaile agreed that the mental challenge of pushing themselves floor after floor was the toughest part.

More than 1,500 firefighters from places as far away as New Zealand participated. The climbers’ starting times were spread throughout 2 1/2 hours, which still made for some crowded stairwells.

Whenever someone began lagging, others would stop to pat their backs and encourage them, Quaile said.

The event raised more than $500,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Donations still are being accepted at www.firefighterstairclimb.org.

Chena Goldstream’s firefighters were able to participate because Fairbanks-area residents donated money for a rental car and air miles to pay for their flights.

Contact staff writer Joshua Armstrong at 459-7523.

Finishing times

The following are the finishing times and places for the six Chena Goldstream Fire Department members.

269. Cory Wagner, 17:41.05

709. Ashley Wages, 22:04.45

943. Alyssa Quaile, 25:47.75

959. Forrest Baumfaulk, 25:59.35

1011. Willard Jack, 26:58.60

1045. Jennifer Payer, 28:13.50