On a chilly Sunday morning in Las Vegas, when many Southern Nevada residents were still sound asleep in their beds, 19-year-old Fisher for Nevada Team volunteer Greg Billingsley was running up the stairs of the Stratosphere—the tallest free-standing observation tower in the United States. It took Greg only eight minutes and 12 seconds to race up the Stratosphere’s 1,455 steps and 108 floors, earning him third place for a race that included runners from around the world as well as firefighters from the Las Vegas Fire and Rescue. The race’s winner, 40-year-old Josh Duncan from Illinois, reached the top in eight minutes and 10 seconds—a mere two seconds before Greg—making Greg’s near-winning time all the more impressive.
The race, Scale the Strat, is held annually in Las Vegas in order to raise money for the American Lung Association. In the previous 10 years it has been held, the event has raised over 1.5 million dollars for the American Lung Association. This year’s race broke participation and fundraising records with more than 1,000 registrations and $325,000 raised through race sponsorships and donations.
“It’s great to see so many participating in this event,” stated Greg. “Understanding the fight for air is never as clear as after climbing 108 stories.”
The Fisher for Nevada Team attended the event to support the American Lung Association and to cheer Greg and other runners on. Not only was Jared Fisher sponsoring Greg in his run, but fundraisers like Scale the Strat are precisely the types of community events Jared would like to see more of in Nevada in the future. Both Jared and his wife Heather have participated in the Scale the Strat event in the past and hope to do so again next year.
The @LasVegasFD, getting ready for @ScaleTheStrat. They’ll be climbing up 108 floors in full gear – 40+ pounds. #ScaletheStrat pic.twitter.com/chF4wxIfKe
— Fisher for Nevada (@fisherfornevada) February 25, 2018
We’re excited to be here at @LVStratosphere with the @LungAssociation @LasVegasFD and @UMCSN for #ScaletheStrat @ScaleTheStrat pic.twitter.com/9Qs0hhY4lf
— Fisher for Nevada (@fisherfornevada) February 25, 2018
I’m running on a platform that includes a focus on nurturing a ‘Healthy Nevada,'” Jared stated, explaining his reasoning for sponsoring. “This involves making Nevada a healthier place to live—with safe communities, top-notch schools and a diversified and thriving local economy. Events like Scale the Strat, which has raised over a million dollars in support of healthy lungs, shows that Nevadans care about the health of their neighbors and communities. I’m happy to do whatever I can to support the American Lung Association.”
Congratulations, Greg, on your incredible achievement. And thank you for representing the Fisher for Nevada Team! We’re so proud of you.
