“It’s very humbling”: Hundreds participate in 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb

BRISTOL, Tenn. (WJHL) – On September 11, 2001, two planes struck the World Trade Center in New York City. On Saturday morning, hundreds of participants climbed the stairs of Bristol Motor Speedway in honor of the many lives lost on 9/11.

For ten years, the Tri-Cities has remembered the events of 9/11 through the Tri-Cities Memorial Stair Climb . For the last five years, the event has occurred at the speedway, where participants go up and down the stairs.

“They will climb the height of the World Trade Center,” said Andrew Catron, event coordinator for the climb. “Which is 110 floors in memory of those who were lost on 9/11.”

Over 700 made the climb, climbing individually or in groups. Local fire departments and first responders participated in the climb, donning their gear. Others chose to wear hoses or weighted vests to try and understand what the first responders went through that day.

“Just to put ourselves in the weight of responders that have to do the work and the support,” said Courtney Markland.

“It’s very humbling to be here today,” said Tim Estes, Chief of the Abingdon Fire Department. “Just to take a few steps in remembrance of those who have fallen.”

Each climber was given a tag with the name of a first responder who served during 9/11. This year, the climb honored local fallen firefighters killed in the line of duty: James Ward from Weber City and Cameron Craig . Craig was a member of the Abingdon Fire Department and died in October 2023. Estes was involved in getting Craig honored at the event.

“All those folks gave their life and service to our community,” Estes said. “And today by including them, this allows all of us to participate, just to remember them one more time.”

Once the climbers finished, they would ring a bell and read off the responder’s name on their given tag. For the climbers, it’s important to remember the sacrifice each first responder made that day and the sacrifices that continue to be made.

“It’s an impact on the community and the nation as a whole,” said Markland. “So being able to remember those that have been lost, it’s an absolute honor.”

“For our future,” said Tim Nease, climbing for the Greeneville Fire Department. “All the kids coming up for them to remember the firefighters.”

The climb was also a fundraiser for the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation .

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather.