This week, FDNY members, New Yorkers, and thousands of visitors from across the country came together to participate in the annual Tunnel to Towers 5K Run/Walk in New York City.
The event is held each year in memory of FDNY firefighter Stephen Siller and in honor of all those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. Siller, who was assigned to Brooklyn’s Squad 1, famously ran through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel in full gear to reach the Twin Towers after the terrorist attacks, ultimately sacrificing his life in the line of duty.
The Tunnel to Towers 5K Run & Walk has been held every year since 2002, always taking place on the last Sunday in September. What began with just 1,500 participants more than two decades ago has grown into one of the largest and most meaningful 5K runs in the nation. It is now recognized as one of the premier charity races in America, attracting tens of thousands of runners, walkers, and supporters each year.
The course itself symbolizes Stephen Siller’s heroic final footsteps, beginning at the entrance of the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel (formerly the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel) and finishing at the site of the former Twin Towers. Along the way, participants reflect on the courage and sacrifice of not only Siller, but also the 343 FDNY firefighters, countless law enforcement officers, EMT's and thousands of civilians who perished on that tragic day.
Funds raised from the event directly support the Tunnel to Towers Foundation’s wide range of charitable programs. These include mortgage-free homes for the families of fallen first responders, smart homes for catastrophically injured service members, and assistance for veterans struggling with homelessness.
The event continues to grow each year, ensuring Stephen Siller’s legacy and the sacrifices of so many others will never be forgotten.