9/11 Memorial Stair Climb Of 110 Stories Held At Soldier Field

CHICAGO — On Saturday, Sept. 11, 343 people will climb 110 stories at Chicago's Soldier Field to honor the firefighters killed in the 9/11 attacks. Nearly 50 cities across the U.S. will take place in the memorial stair climb, officials said.

The exact number of participants pays homage to the 343 Fire Department of New York firefighters who were killed in the 9/11 attacks and aftermath and the number of steps symbolizes the climb to the top of each of the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center. Climbers will tackle 110 stories, or 2,200 steps — some in full firefighter gear — at Soldier Field on 1410 Museum Campus Drive.

The event, sponsored by the National Fallen Firefighter Foundation, fundraises to support FDNY's counseling services and survivor network from the terrorist attack. The NFFF was created by Congress in 1992, but the memorial stair climb is the primary source of fundraising for 9/11 related services.

Of the participants, sisters Jory Rubino and Sandy Augustyn will be climbing the steep flights of Soldier Field in honor of their father who died in the line of duty in 2001, just days before Sept. 11. A spokeswoman for the foundation said both Rubino and Augustyn find the tiresome climb to be therapeutic, even in their second year.

The stair climb was virtual in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While this year's event in Chicago is full, people interested in participating can register as virtual climbers here.