Congratulations to firefighters Brian Poliafico and Brian Plodizyn for both completing their first full marathon in Philadelphia last week. We are very proud of both of them for this great accomplishment, said Haddon Fire Co. №1 Chief Joe Riggs.
A little over one year ago, these same two Haddon Fire Company volunteer firefighters set out on a health and fitness journey and established several personal goals for upcoming competitions. It started with completion of the Rothman 8K run in 2010, the longest distance they had both ever run. They then participated in March of 2011 with the Haddon Fire Company running team in the “Fight for Air” stairclimb competition in which they both climbed the Bell Atlantic Tower building in Philadelphia, 50 stories tall. Not only did they both complete the climb, they did it twice — once in regular street clothes and once in full turnout gear (wearing an additional 50 pounds of weight).
Then it was onto the “Tough Mudder” in April 2011 — a 12 mile run with 19 rigorous military style obstacles at the Bear Creek Resort in Macungie, Pa. In addition to the 19 very challenging obstacles, both of them had to plunge 15 feet into 39 degree water and battle hypothermic conditions as an additional challenge. Participating in this event, they raised money for “The Wounded Warrior Project.” In May 2011, they both completed the Broad Street 10-mile run and a half-marathon. Over the summer, several different 5K races were accomplished as they began their training for the Philadelphia Marathon, including the Heroes to Hero 5K, in which Haddon Fire Company placed second among the firefighter division. Then, on Nov. 20, 2011, Plodizyn and Brian Poliafico completed a full marathon (26.2 miles).
Since making their commitment a year ago, they have accomplished what less than one percent of the population can — completion of a 26.2 mile run. They have sacrificed a significant amount of personal time and energy to achieve this goal and still managed to maintain their family, work and firefighter training commitments during this entire year. They are the epitome of a new culture within Haddon Fire Company, expanding its continued commitment to physical fitness and continuous training. Our firefighters are ready at a moment’s notice to assist the members of our community and those communities around us. If our firefighters are not “running” to a call, they are probably “running” to prepare for the next competition.
