Boothwyn Firefighter Runs Marathons In Full Gear For Charity
BOOTHWYN, Pa. (CBS) -- Of all the runners at the Philadelphia Marathon Sunday, one stood out.
That's Firefighter Steven Bender running 26.2 miles in full gear… including an air tank that weighs about 22 pounds.
Bender is motivated if nothing else.
He does all this for attention, not for himself but for his charity the Firefighter 5 Foundation.
It's mission to pay entry fees and expenses for first responders entering races and other competitions.
The president of the Reliance Hook and Ladder Fire Company in Boothwyn was once 240 pounds and says running saved his life both mentally and physically.
Bender finished the Philadelphia marathon in a little over 5 hours and 30 minutes.
It's the 4th time he's run a full marathon in full gear that weighs about 40 pounds.
To date the Firefighter 5 Foundation has raised about $35,000.