Thousands Expected to Climb 110 Flights in Tribute to First Responders on the 25th Anniversary of September 11
ORLANDO, Fla., Sept. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — 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.
About Fitness Ventures
Founded in 2016 by Brian Hibbard, Fitness Ventures, LLC is the largest Crunch Fitness franchisee in the United States and one of the fastest-growing operators in the high-value, low-price (HVLP) fitness category. As of the time of this press release, the Company operates 123 locations across 30 states and is on pace to exceed 130 locations by year-end, with a robust pipeline of new club developments and acquisitions underway. Backed by Meaningful Partners, Fitness Ventures pairs a disciplined operating and development strategy with a relentless focus on execution – operating some of the highest-volume Crunch locations in the system and delivering industry-leading financial returns. The Company is also a category leader in applied AI, leveraging proprietary technology to drive performance across its portfolio. For more information, visit www.fitnessventuresllc.com.
Media Contact
Hiba Abduljawad, Fitness Ventures, 407-360-6746, hiba@fitnessventuresllc.com, www.fitnessventuresllc.com
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