'Never Forget': 9/11 Tower Challenge goes virtual

TUCSON (KVOA) - Friday marks 19 years since the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, where nearly 3,000 people died.

Every year Americans honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice on that day.

Here in Tucson, hundreds of people usually climb thousands of steps to remember those who lost their lives on 9/11. However, this year the 911 Tower Challenge is moving online due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Although the event turned virtual, participants can still join the challenge from anywhere.

JOIN THE VIRTUAL 911 TOWER CHALLENGE 2020: Click here to register.

Virtual attendees do not complete the challenge at the venue but instead find a location (gym stair-stepper, running/walking, high school stadium steps, etc.) to complete the challenge on their own.

If you want to participate but can't find access to a staircase, you can walk 1.25 miles. The point of this event is to remember the physical effort and sacrifice of those first responders on 9/11.

Marana Police Department will compete at the Northwest Fire District training facility.

The World Trade Center's Twin Towers each consisted of 110 floors and 2071 steps.

The goal of the event is to climb the 2071 steps in order to represent the 110 floors of the Twin Towers that came down nineteen years ago.

And the mission is to educate the public about first responders and military, who continue to put their lives at risk to protect us.

Many of the climbers in Friday's challenge are first responders who chose to wear their gear in order to honor many of the firefighters who lost their lives that day.

The funds go to charities serving law enforcement, first responders and military personnel. They've donated over $300,000 in the past four years.