TAMPA, Fla. — Chris Van Glahn has harnessed his passion for fitness and adventure and taken up an unusual sport.
- Tampa man takes up tower running for fitness, health
- Chris Van Glahn will run in this year's Eiffel Tower Vertical
- He says his father's Parkinson's keeps him motivated
The rules of tower running are simple: Participants run the stairs of some of the world's tallest structures in the fastest possible time.
Van Glahn, of Tampa, is one of three Americans selected to participate in the 2019 Eiffel Tower Vertical, where he will take on 1,665 steps of the Eiffel Tower.
Since taking up tower running a few years ago, he's dropped 50 pounds.
"My father is suffering from Parkinson's disease," Van Glahn said. "He's going through a tough time, so for me, I put him in my mind and think climbing the stairs is nothing."
He will also be participating in the American Heart Association's Fight for Air Climb and will take on Tampa's Bank of America building.