Fitness Ventures, a Crunch Fitness franchisee, will bring together 106 Crunch Fitness locations and more than 100 local fire departments for a nationwide 9/11 Remembrance Stair Climb Challenge on Friday, September 11.
The event, which marks the 25th anniversary of September 11, is expected to involve thousands of Crunch members, employees, first responders and community participants across the United States.
Participants will be invited to climb 110 flights, or approximately 2,071 steps, representing the 110 floors of the World Trade Center. Fitness Ventures said it expects between 5,000 and 8,000 people to take part across its network, with many fire departments climbing in full gear to honor FDNY firefighters and other first responders who lost their lives.
The 2026 challenge has grown significantly from last year, when 71 locations took part. This year’s event will span 106 Crunch clubs, reflecting wider community participation in the annual remembrance.
“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. “Having 106 of our Crunch locations come together to climb the same 110 flights on the same day, united with over 100 fire departments, makes this tribute incredibly powerful. Twenty-five years later, we want thousands of people across the country to feel that — together.”
The Amarillo Fire Department in Texas is among the participating departments. Jeff Justus, Community Liaison for the department, said Crunch Fitness had helped provide firefighters and the wider community with “a meaningful place to come together, remember the lives lost on September 11, 2001, and honor the firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice that day.”
The Stair Climb Challenge is open to all fitness levels and to both members and non-members. Participants are encouraged to complete the full 110 flights, although those who want to take part in the remembrance can participate at their own level.
Participating Crunch locations will track those who complete all 110 flights as Fitness Ventures documents participation across what it describes as its largest single-day, multi-location tribute event.
Participants are also encouraged to share their experiences on social media using #CrunchStairChallenge.
