BISBEE — The Cochise College women’s basketball team continued the tradition of its annual community service project last weekend by volunteering at the Bisbee 1000 Great Stair Climb fundraiser.
The 22nd annual event was held on Saturday, with nearly 2,000 runners and walkers crossing the finish line in a race that spans 4.2 miles and more than 1,000 steps in old Bisbee. The race is coordinated by Save Our Stairs, Inc., a nonprofit organization that supports initiatives that promote healthy, active living in Cochise County.
The Cochise College women’s basketball team aided in making the race a success by helping with registration, corralling runners as the race began, and assisting with the Ice Man Competition, an additional event within the Bisbee 1000 in which entrants race up 155 steps while carrying at 10-pound block of ice with antique metal tongs.
“We were happy to be a part of such a unique and successful local event,” said Cochise College women’s basketball coach Laura Hughes. “The Bisbee 1000 organization offers us the chance to give back to the community. It was a great day for the Bisbee 1000 race and Cochise women’s basketball.”
The Apache women’s basketball team is a working partner of the Bisbee 1000 and received $2,000 from Save Our Stairs last year as one of several organizations that benefits from mini-grants awarded to be used for activities that promote health and wellness.