Over 500 ROTC cadets, Baylor and community members gathered at McLane Stadium before dawn Tuesday morning to run up to 2,071 stairs across the stadium.
As they descended on the staircase, each community member was given a name badge with the name of a first responder or soldier that died in the 9-11 terrorist attacks 24 years ago.
"I have Lawrence Virgillo, who’s 38 years old," said Baylor student Meredith Frey. "Knowing all the names, it’s so special to honor them and to remember people’s names"
Frey ran 2,071 stairs Tuesday, the same number of stairs first responders climbed that day in 2001. She says she was thinking about Lawrence during the run.
"Even while I was running, I was just praying like 'thank you Lord and pray for this family'," Frey said.
That’s something Baylor Army ROTC cadet Katherine Mickelson, who helped organize the event, hoped would happen.
"I thinks it’s an important event to gather the community in remembrance," Mickelson said. "I hope that people take time to reflect and just pray over all the families."
This year marks Baylor ROTC’s third annual stair run. Organizers plan to continue, especially for next year’s 25th anniversary.
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