Crunch Franchisees to Honor 9/11 First Responders with Stair Climb Challenge Remembrance
Posted: September 8, 2026 in Chains
Crunch
ORLANDO and TAMPA, FL – This year, in observance of the 25th Anniversary of September 11th, across the United States, Crunch franchisees are coming together to honor 9/11 First Responders with the Stair Climb Challenge Remembrance. This event serves as a powerful tribute to responders who bravely served on that tragic day in 2001 and those who continue to protect and serve their communities today.
ORLANDO, FL – On the 25th anniversary of September 11, Fitness Ventures, the largest Crunch Fitness franchisee operating 123 locations nationwide, will coordinate a nationwide 9/11 Remembrance Stair Climb Challenge across 106 Crunch locations on Friday, September 11. The event brings together more than 100 local fire departments, thousands of members and community participants in a unified tribute to the first responders who served and sacrificed on that day – 25 years ago.
Nearly doubling from last year’s 71 locations, this year’s event spans 106 Crunch clubs nationwide, reflecting both Fitness Ventures’ rapid expansion and the deepening commitment of fire departments and communities across the country to honor this observance.
Participants will climb 110 flights, or approximately 2,071 steps, representing the 110 floors of the World Trade Center. Fitness Ventures expects between 5,000 and 8,000 participants across the network, including Crunch members, non-members, employees, first responders, and community members. Many participating fire departments will climb in full gear as a tribute to the FDNY firefighters and first responders who lost their lives.
“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 is incredibly grateful to Crunch Fitness for continuing to host our annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb,” said Jeff Justus, Community Liaison for the Amarillo Fire Department in Texas. “Their support over the years has helped provide our firefighters and 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. We truly appreciate Crunch Fitness and their continued commitment to helping us ensure that we never forget.”
The Stair Climb Challenge is open to all fitness levels and to the entire community, including non-members. Participants are encouraged to complete the full 110 flights, but anyone who wants to take part in the remembrance is welcome to participate at their own level.
Throughout the day, participating in Crunch locations will track those who successfully complete all 110 flights as Fitness Ventures aims to document the scale of participation across its largest single-day, multi-location tribute event.
Participants are encouraged to share their experiences on social media using #CrunchStairChallenge, connecting participants from communities across the country.
TAMPA, FL – In observance of the 25th anniversary of September 11th, CR Fitness Holdings, a leading franchisee of Crunch Fitness, will once again host its annual 9/11 Stair Climb Challenge Remembrance on Friday, September 11. This event serves as a powerful tribute to responders who bravely served on that tragic day in 2001 and those who continue to protect and serve their communities today.
Open to members, non-members, and first responders, the 9/11 Stair Climb Challenge invites participants to take on 110 flights of stairs, or 2,071 steps, in representation of the 110 floors of the World Trade Center. After completing the climb, participants are invited to sign their names and record their step contributions as a collective act of remembrance and unity.
“September 11 is a day that forever changed our nation and reminds us of the extraordinary courage and sacrifice of our first responders,” said Tony Scrimale, CEO of CR Fitness Holdings. “Our annual 9/11 Stair Climb Challenge Remembrance brings the Crunch community together to honor those who answered the call with selfless bravery and to ensure their legacy of service is never forgotten.”
In the lead-up to the event, Crunch Fitness team members will visit local fire stations to personally thank first responders for their unwavering dedication. During these visits, the team will deliver refreshments and tokens of appreciation as a gesture honoring their selfless service. First responders are invited to participate in the 9/11 Stair Climb Challenge Remembrance at any of the 98 open CR Fitness locations across Florida, Texas, Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee.
As the nation marks the 25th anniversary of September 11, CR Fitness Holdings remains steadfast in its commitment to honoring the memory of the heroes who answered the call that day and those who continue to exemplify courage and dedication as first responders.
