The endurance test brought together a record number of participants yesterday at the Bom Jesus do Monte Sanctuary. Portuguese and foreign firefighters proved themselves by overcoming unique characteristics.
Edmilson Gomes, from the Lisbon Firefighters Sapadores Company, and Sónia Cancela, from the Póvoa de Varzim Volunteer Firefighters, won yesterday the sixth edition of the ‘Escadórios da Humanidade’ endurance race. Aimed at professional and volunteer firefighters, the test organized by the association ‘Família de Elite’ and ‘ADN Eventos Desportivos’ aimed, once again, to test the capacity of those civil protection operators to cover 615 meters with a positive difference in level of 116 meters and 566 steps on the steps of Bom Jesus do Monte, using full personal protective equipment, urban fire boots and open circuit insulating breathing apparatus.
The firefighter from Sapadores de Lisboa completed this true test of overcoming in 5 minutes and 30 seconds, while his colleague from Póvoa de Varzim completed the same route in eight minutes and 28 seconds, having been the best classified in the women’s sector.
This edition of ‘Escadórios da Humanidade’ took, yesterday morning, to the Bom Jesus do Monte Sanctuary, more than 1,500 firefighters from 260 corporations from Portugal, Spain, France, Poland, Brazil and Cape Verde, which constituted a record number of participation.
The absolute winner considered his first participation in ‘Escadórios da Humanidade’ “very difficult”, promising to return in future editions.
“This test of suffering is a great incentive for the firefighters’ daily life”, considered the Lisbon sapper, who found what he enjoys in this activity, despite it being “very difficult, physically and mentally.”
The Lisbon Sapadores Company won the ‘Escadórios da Humanidade’ competition collectively, followed by the Sapadores Companies of Coimbra and Funchal.