CLIMB FOR CHARITY

CAP CITY

Climbing stairs isn’t often thought of as exciting or particularly challenging, but for John “Oz” Osborn, 37, of Rochester, it’s so much fun that he gave up BMX racing. He seems to have a knack for climbing stairs, as evidenced by his second place finish in the American Lung Association’s 2010 Fight for Air Climb in Springfield’s Hilton Hotel. That was his first try at stair climbing, he says, but he is now ranked 24th in the world among competitive stair climbers. He climbed the 30 floors of the Hilton in two minutes and 40 seconds, and his goal in this year’s race is to beat that time. The same goes for Karen Geninatti, 53, of Carlinville, a personal trainer and competitive bodybuilder of 12 years. She is ranked 51st in the world and hopes to finish the climb in four minutes flat.

“There was a guy who did it last year while using an oxygen tank,” Geninatti says. “If he can do it, anyone can do it.”

The Fight for Air Climb is a fundraiser hosted by the American Lung Association. The 2011 event takes place Feb. 19, again at the Hilton Springfield Hotel, 700 East Adams St. Registration is $15 before Jan. 4 and $25 after that. For more information or to register, visit http://bit.ly/ai4V68.