From climbing the Incline in full gear to biking across the country, first responders in the Pikes Peak region dedicated their mornings to remembering the 343 firefighters lost in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Hundreds of first responders and military personnel met at the trailhead of the Manitou Springs Incline just after dawn Thursday, American flags in hand, before climbing over 2,700 steps, joining dozens of national memorial stair climbs commemorating the attacks.

By 7 a.m., dozens of first responders were at the summit, and at 8 a.m., over 250 people — first responders, family members and those serving in the military — began their trek.

Along the way, firefighters in full gear, which can weigh up to 80 pounds, placed 343 flags along the trail — each flag representing t

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