By Ryan Harris

Staff Writer

CLEVELAND, Tenn. -- A grueling relay obstacle course awaits six Cleveland firefighters today at the fourth annual Tennessee Ultimate Firefighter Challenge and Muster.

It is the first year the Cleveland Fire Department has entered the race, which includes a series of obstacles intended to simulate the toughest aspects of firefighting.

Cleveland is the only Southeast Tennessee fire department among 31 competing in the event at the Fire Service and Codes Enforcement Academy near Murfreesboro, Tenn., according to an academy news release.

Cleveland firefighters Rocky Eulo, Chris Townsend, Josh Woods, Jason Pennell, Chad Haun and Richard Lesniewski will represent their department.

Mr. Eulo, the team's captain, said training for the competition has motivated firefighters to get in better shape.

"Being a firefighter is 100 percent physical," Mr. Eulo said. "It's important to be in shape."

The challenge ahead will certainly test their physical mettle.

Each firefighter runs the course in relay style, passing a wrench instead of a baton.

The course begins with the firefighter, wearing full gear, running up four flights of stairs in a control tower. The contestant must lug a pack containing two sections of hose that Mr. Eulo said weighs around 75 pounds.

After discarding the pack at the top of the stairs, the contestant must lean out a window and hoist a roll of hose to the fourth floor. The team is disqualified if a firefighter loses control of the hose.

Back at the bottom of the control tower, the firefighter will simulate bursting through a door by using a sledgehammer to strike and attempt to move a weighted sled.

Next comes a 140-foot run around cones, followed by a 75-foot run carrying a water-charged hose.

Finally, the firefighter must lift or drag a 175-pound rescue dummy 100 feet to the finish line.

"They call it the toughest two minutes in sports," Mr. Eulo said. "It never gets easy."

Cleveland Fire Chief Chuck Atchley said he encouraged his crew to participate in the games. He said the opportunity to network with others at the statewide event will be just as important as the competition.

"They may be doing other things (in other parts of the state) that may be better, and some things that may not be," Chief Atchley said. "This is going to allow them to meet firefighters from all parts of the state."

E-mail Ryan Harris at rharris@timesfreepress.com