A workout to honour the fallen those who sacrificed their lives on 9/11 took place at the SLS Centre with the 9th annual 9/11 Memorial Workout on Sept. 13.
The event itself took place on the SLS Centre’s brand-new sport court. Underneath the surface layer of the area is the same material as their fitness centre, which supports a variety of sports and also helps prevent activity-related injuries.
Jeremie Hoult, a firefighter with over 20 years of experience in the field, explained that the event originally started with his friend Geoff Dommett.
“Nine years ago, we asked [SLS Centre] if we could do a 9/11 tribute workout, and they said we could use the corner of their turf,” he explained. “Then they asked if they could join us, and the more the merrier, so that’s kind of how it started, and it just evolved from there.”
With a growing number of participants, Hoult said he is happy to see more people partake in the workout.
In terms of the exercises itself, Hoult explained that participants were encouraged to complete 412 reps of various exercises, alongside seven 200-metre laps around the indoor running track at the SLS Centre.
“We do 100 push-ups, sit-ups, and squats,” Hoult said. “We also do 56 burpees and glute bridges, and in between each of those, and at the beginning and end, we do a 200-metre jog around the track.
“So that comes to around 412 reps with a one-mile run.”
Hoult explained that the 412 reps are dedicated to the 412 first responders that passed away in the Twin Towers during the 9/11 Terrorist Attack.
Compared to the other participants who attended, Hoult did his workout wearing firefighter turnout gear and helmet that added on an additional 35 lbs. to his exercise. He explained that the turnout is composed of several materials that protect firefighters from heat, steam, and punctures when they respond to a call.
With a sweat-soaked turnout at the time of the interview, he explained that he tries to simulate the same conditions as first responders on 9/11.
“It’s not the most fun to do, but we like to try and get it as close to the firefighters that were going up the towers that day,” he said. “With all the tools and things, they would’ve had, 110-ish extra pounds on them while they were running up the 100 flights of stairs.”
Despite not being an easy task, Hoult said he is happy to see the growing number of participants in this year’s event.
“The more people that do it, it surprisingly does make it a little bit easier with just helpful comments and stuff to keep you going,” Hoult said.
Stephanie Marello, fitness coordinator for the SLS Centre, first became involved with the event in 2018. After being inspired by their efforts, she approached Hoult to make the tribute workout an annual affair.
“Next year we have to make it bigger and better because we’ve heard that there’s been more fatalities from the Twin Towers, so we’ll look at the entire thing and see if there’s anything we can do to make it more special,” she said.
Marello said that the even is significant to her because one of her closest friends was actually one of the first Canadian paramedics on scene on during 9/11.
“She and her partner came from Niagara-on-the-Lake, and drove their ambulance down,” she said. “She volunteered two weeks of her time to help in the middle of that disaster, so it’s something near and dear to my heart.”
With 80 attendees at this year’s event, Marello said it was amazing to see the various first responder groups participate in the event.
“We had dispatch from Calgary Fire, Cochrane Fire Services, and local police from Morley, Cochrane, and Calgary,” she said. “We also had corrections officers from out in the Rocky View area, and paramedics.
“We’re lucky to have a little bit of everybody showing up to support this incredible event.
For anyone who feels like they missed out on this event, Marello said they can participate in the Sweat for a Vet event on Nov. 6, in honour of all military and first responders.
