WORKING OUT WITH STEFAN PTASZEK

HIS CAUSE: Former CFL receiver Stefan Ptaszek played for the B.C. Lions, Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Toronto Argos before becoming head coach of the McMaster Marauder football program.

Last Saturday, Ptaszek and his Marauders helped raise money for the Juravinski Cancer Centre by taking part in the second annual Integrated Active Living Climb for Cancer.

Last year's climb saw more than 250 participants challenge the Chedoke stairs on the Hamilton escarpment, with the collective goal of raising $20,000 by climbing the equivalent of Mount Everest. They ended up climbing Everest 17 times and raising just over $23,000.

Last Saturday, about 450 participants were involved, almost double last year's. Contributions are still being tallied and final results are not expected for at least a week. But organizers were aiming to double last year's amount, with all money raised going directly to the cancer centre.

HIS REGIMEN: Ptaszek, 37, is married with an infant daughter and two-year-old son, so making time for exercise between work and his young family is hugely challenging.

He tries to fit in at least three workouts per week on campus.

"If a half-an-hour presents itself, I get out and do something."

A favourite workout -- lasting 45 minutes -- sees him on the football field with Marauder quarterback coach Jon Behie.

"Coach Behie and myself both fancy ourselves as quarterbacks and receivers, so I'll play quarterback and take him all the way across the field running 10 or 15 pass patterns (a predetermined route run by a receiver in an attempt to get open for a pass).

"He'll be out of breath, then we'll switch.

"He'll be quarterback and he'll take me back 10 or 15 reps and I'll be out of breath. We'll do that three or four times then stretch for a bit and do some light wind sprints, pushups and sit-ups.

"Then we get back to the office and finish up with our e-mails and phone calls for the day."

Ptaszek enjoys a game of football, as long as it's noncontact.

"Football with no contact is an absolute must for the old men."

Another favourite workout is swimming in Mac's 50-metre pool where he aims for 40 lengths. Or he'll spend 20 minutes pushing hard on an exercise bike.

HIS GOAL: At the Climb for Cancer, teams of four climbed the stairs for about one hour.

Ptaszek was joined by Marauder's strength and conditioning coach Mark Verbeek, receiver coach Patrick O'Leary and Behie.

The football program also entered one team each of offensive and defensive players.

Ptaszek had never climbed the stairs before. But he has done triathlons and half-Ironmans. So unlike the young football players, he had endurance on his side.

HOW YOU CAN HELP: You can still contribute to the Juravinski Cancer Centre by visiting the centre at 699 Concession St. or visiting the Climb for Cancer website at ialfitness.com.