Firefighters from around the world are battling in Myrtle Beach to be the best. The Scott Firefighter Combat Challenge pits more than 30 teams against each other in a competition that started Monday and continues through Saturday evening.
In just one round, competitors race up the five flights of stairs, pull a 42 pound bag up more than 50 feet, down the stairs to sledgehammer a weighted beam, run a fire hose, hit a target, then drag a 175 pound dummy more than 30 yards across the finish line.
"Even when you get tired and you don't want to do it anymore you want to come out and see these guys because they're the best in the world," said Lake Charles, Louisiana firefighter Cheri Ardoin.
"It's showcasing the skills and the abilities of firefighters," said Horry County Fire Rescue Wellness Coordinator Michael Medeiros. "Our team's been training for years at this and every year getting better and better.".
Horry County firefighters are ranked number one in the team bracket.
But there are others from across the world who want to end their hot streak.
"You don't even realize how popular this is in Europe now," said Slovenia firefighter Meric Suppon. "It only started five years ago in Europe. Here it's its 21st year, and we know more than you think of about these guys."
While the challenge brought an international competition, it also brought an international audience.
"Now they're streamlining the event live worldwide," said Myrtle Beach Mayor John Rhodes, "and they've got an opportunity to have the name Myrtle Beach out there."
Friday afternoon, Horry County firefighter Michael Mabe set a state record for fastest time at the event.
Medeiros set the world record in the over 40 age division.
This is the third year Myrtle Beach has hosted the challenge at Broadway at the Beach.
Mayor Rhodes said he expects the event back on the Grand Strand in 2015.
