'In the run-up to the anniversary of the September 11th attack | WordNet

"In the run-up to the anniversary of the September 11th attacks, we've been hearing the recollections of those whose lives were shaped and changed forever by that day."

run-up
/ˈrʌn ʌp/

noun

the period of time just before an important event

the run-up to something

recollection
/rekəˈlekʃn/

noun

[C] a thing that you remember from the past - memory