CORPUS CHRISTI, Tx — On Wednesday, dozens of emergency responders and community members joined Corpus Christi Hooks and LyondellBasell as they honored the victims and survivors of 9/11. They took to Whataburger Field for their fifth annual memorial workout, remembering that tragic moment in American history.
"We're just here to support those who are no longer here and try to remember the sacrifice that all those people made," U.S. Coast Guard serviceman, Scott Ruskin, said.
Participants ran through the stadium bleachers, tackling more than 110 flights of stairs. The workout was created resemble the challenge first responders faced going up the steps inside the burning World Trade Center in 2001.
Some added extra gear to their workout, including a 30 pound oxygen tank that Corpus Christi Fire Engineer, Daniel Poncik, carried on his back.
"Just thinking about the men and women that were there that day. This isn't even a fraction of what they went through," Poncik said.
Many of them reflecting on how they felt during the workout.
"It kind of got emotional a couple times for me because we did stop three times for a moment of silence for the crashes," U.S. Navy Selected Reservist, Tess Montagna, said."It's about doing something that's harder, so I wanted to honor them."
More importantly, they remembered the sacrifice and resilience of those we've lost on that day.
During another tribute on Thursday, each person will have the option to complete 110, 220, or 440 flights of steps. All donations and proceeds from Wednesday's event will go to benefitting local emergency first responders.
Register for the event at bit.ly/HooksStairClimb [t.co]
