More than 70 people gathered at the Britton track last Friday evening to remember the victims and first responders of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and mark the 25th anniversary of the tragedy.
The event, organized by rural Marshall County resident Becky Allen, was a Memorial Stair Climb that invited participants to walk laps around the track or climb the stadium stairs. Some participants kept track of the stairs they climbed in an effort to replicate the number of steps in the World Trade Center’s Twin Towers.
Each of the towers had 110 floors and 2,071 steps.
Allen, who is a partner and seller of 1st Phorm sports nutrition products and supplements, got the idea for the event from another person involved with the company who helps organize a similar Memorial Stair Climb at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. That event drew over 1,000 participants this year who climbed the equivalent of 110 stories to honor the first responders who ran into the World Trade Center towers while others were running out.
Allen said she wanted to bring a similar event to Britton as a way to promote fitness while also giving the community an opportunity to remember Sept. 11.
“We can’t do what they did that day, but we can do hard things and remember them,” Allen said.
The anniversary also carries a personal significance for Allen. She remembers the events of Sept. 11 and said the day has taken on new meaning as she shares those memories with her children. Her husband, Ethan, is also a local volunteer firefighter, giving Allen an additional connection to the first responders who were among those who rushed into the towers that day.
A total of 2,977 people were killed in the Sept. 11 attacks. During Friday’s event, Allen invited participants to share their own memories of that day. The stories spanned generations, from people who were elementary school students when the attacks occurred to teachers who remembered trying to explain the events to their students.
The evening also provided an opportunity for the community to support local firefighters. More than $1,000 was raised for local fire departments through the event. Anyone who would still like to contribute can contact Allen.
Following the success of the first Memorial Stair Climb, Allen hopes to make it an annual event and expand it next year.
