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DeSoto, IA woman competes on crutches in race to the top of Omaha’s tallest building

News, Sports

February 22nd, 2016 by Ric Hanson

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — More than 2,000 people raced to the top of Omaha’s tallest building this weekend, but one of the slower racers earned one of the loudest ovations. Sixty–year-old Ann Hegstrom heard cheers when she crossed the finish line on crutches Saturday. Hegstrom of DeSoto, Iowa, told the Omaha World-Herald she didn’t want to miss her fourth race up the First National Bank tower even after breaking her femur around Thanksgiving.

Initially, Hegstrom planned to only climb halfway, but decided to continue up all 40 floors and finish in 28 minutes, 57 seconds. Thirty-two-year-old Morgan Chaffin of Omaha won the women’s division in 5 minutes, 59 seconds.

Ivan Marsh of Ashland, Nebraska had the fastest time of 4 minutes, 32 seconds. The 41-year-old has won all 10 of the tower races.