A local stair climb will mark the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks while raising money for volunteer fire departments and rescue squads in Henry County.
All Vets, a Henry County-based nonprofit, and the Henry County Sheriff’s Office will hold the Henry County 9/11 Stair Climb Sept. 12 at Martinsville Speedway.
Participants will climb the equivalent of the Twin Towers — 110 flights, or 2,071 steps — on the speedway’s grandstand.
All proceeds will benefit Henry County volunteer rescue squads and fire departments.
Careen Rodgers, an event organizer and public information officer for All Vets, has organized the stair climb for three years.
“We did it at Bassett High School the first year. We had maybe 35 to 45 people show up.”
The event was moved to Martinsville Speedway last year, when more than 200 people participated.
“Eighty percent plus finished the whole thing. This isn’t a race. Come do what you can,” Rodgers said. Participants do not have to complete the entire climb to take part.
“We had an 88-year-old who came and just wanted to climb one flight of stairs,” Rodgers said.
Because participants will climb the equivalent of the Twin Towers, Rodgers said the configuration of the speedway grandstand makes the climb particularly challenging, with participants climbing the grandstand approximately one and a half times.
“None of the steps are the same size as the heights. It’s a lot more challenging at the speedway as opposed to one of the high schools,” Rodgers said.
Local businesses have provided significant support for the event.
“We are seeing so much community support through businesses. We are so appreciative,” Rodgers said.
Registration is $25 and includes an event shirt for participants who register by Aug. 20.
The climb will begin at 10 a.m. at the Martinsville Speedway grandstand at the Turn Four Gate, 340 Speedway Road, Ridgeway.
The event is untimed, and participants are encouraged to move at their own pace.
Spectators are welcome, but only registered participants may access the grandstand for the climb.
Registration also will be accepted the day of the event, although participants must register by Aug. 20 to be guaranteed an event shirt.
For more information, contact Rodgers at 276-340-1538.
All Vets also continues to hold its monthly walk in the park and has adopted a trail at Fairystone Farms Wildlife Management Area, where the organization encourages others to hike.
The organization also is preparing for its Veterans Day Honor Trail.
“Last year we had about 120 signs, and we have secured funding for 120 signs,” Rodgers said.
The first year of the project focused on honoring living veterans. This year, the organization also will honor veterans who have died.
