Orlando – September 07, 2026 -- Fitness Ventures, the largest Crunch Fitness franchisee in the country, will coordinate a 9/11 Remembrance Stair Climb Challenge across 106 Crunch locations nationwide on Friday, September 11, marking the 25th anniversary of the attacks.
Participants will climb 110 flights, roughly 2,071 steps, matching the height of the World Trade Center towers. The company expects between 5,000 and 8,000 people to take part across the network, including members, non-members, employees, first responders, and community volunteers.
More than 100 fire departments will climb in full gear
Many participating fire departments plan to complete the climb wearing full protective gear as a tribute to FDNY firefighters and first responders who died on September 11, 2001. The event nearly doubles in scale from last year, when 71 Crunch locations participated, growing to 106 clubs this year.
"The 25th anniversary is a moment for all of us to pause and remember - not just what happened, but who answered the call," said Brian Hibbard, CEO of Fitness Ventures.
Amarillo Fire Department calls the annual event meaningful
Jeff Justus, Community Liaison for the Amarillo Fire Department in Texas, said Crunch Fitness's continued support has given firefighters and residents a place to gather and honor those lost. The department has participated in the memorial climb in previous years.
The challenge is open to all fitness levels and to non-members, with participants encouraged to attempt the full 110 flights or take part at their own pace. Crunch locations will track those who complete the full climb, and organizers are asking participants to share their experience using the hashtag #CrunchStairChallenge.