Fireman to run marathon in full gear to raise awareness

Sunday, Oct. 20 will be a hot day for Brantford’s Kevin Bibby – but he’s used to the heat.

Bibby, a firefighter, will be running the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon in his full fireman uniform, including face piece and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). In total, the gear weighs over 20kg.

The 39-year-old Brantford, Ont. man hopes his run will raise awareness for the importance of SCBA and the dangers firefighters face from airborne toxins and smoke inhalation.

“There are so many toxins we’re inhaling, including hydrogen cyanide and carbon dioxide,” Bibby told the Brantford Expositor.

The compressed-air tanks Bibby will wear only last him 45 minutes. He will be followed by a truck carrying more tanks as required and friends on bicycles will help him switch the canisters.

Bibby is a member of Firefighters Against Cancer’s Existence (FACE), an organization formed by Tim Catterall, a Burlington, Ont. firefighter, after he was diagnosed with cancer in 2004. FACE’s goal is to spread awareness of the dangers associated with carcinogenic fumes involved in firefighting and the increasing number of firefighters diagnosed with cancer.

Marathons have become a popular site to raise money for various charity and awareness organization and Bibby won’t be alone in his endeavour. Last year the Toronto marathon raised $4.3 million towards 181 different charities.

Each year at the STWM there are multiple runners gunning for odd Guinness World Records. Last year Stephana Hetherington broke the world record for the fastest marathon dressed in a superhero costume at 2:33:58. Paul Statchuk ran 4:08:43 in full hockey gear to best the previous mark. Statchuk will attempt the equivalent record in lacrosse gear this time around.