Haddonfield Firefighters are Marathon Men

Haddonfield volunteer firefighters Brian Plodizyn and Brian Poliafico reached a milestone, or maybe you could call it a 26.2-milestone, on November 20 by completing a marathon. Since making their commitment a year ago, they have accomplished what less than one percent of the population can, run a 26.2-mile race.

It was a personal commitment of time and energy to achieve this goal and still manage family, work and firefighter training commitments during the past year, they said.

A little over one year ago, Plodizyn and Poliafico set out on a health and fitness journey to established personal goals for upcoming competitions.  It started with completion of the Rothman 8k run in 2010. Then it was on to the “Fight for Air” stair-climb competition in March of 2011 with the running team when they climbed the steps of the 50-story Bell Atlantic Tower in Philadelphia. 

Not only did they both complete the climb, they did it twice—once in regular street clothes and once in full turnout gear, 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. They raised money for “The Wounded Warrior Project” by participating in this event.  In May 2011, they both completed the Broad Street 10-mile run and a half-marathon.

Over the summer, several different 5km 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.