Every year on the last Sunday of September, thousands gather in New York City to retrace the final footsteps of FDNY firefighter Stephen Siller, who ran from the foot of the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel toward the Twin Towers on September 11, 2001 after strapping on his gear and refusing to turn back. The Tunnel to Towers 5K Run & Walk NYC follows that same route, turning a standard road race into a moving tribute to the 343 FDNY members, law enforcement officers, and civilians lost that day. What started in 2002 with 1,500 runners has grown into one of the largest and most recognized 5Ks in the country, drawing a crowd that includes active-duty military, veterans, first responders, and families honoring loved ones alongside everyday runners and walkers.
This is a run/walk, not a competitive race in the technical sense — pace doesn’t matter, showing up does. Proceeds go directly to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation’s programs supporting first responders and catastrophically injured service members, so every entry fee does double duty as a donation. If you’re looking for an event that pairs a good morning workout with genuine meaning, this is one of the few on the calendar that delivers both.
Supporting America’s first responder and military heroes, including homeless veterans, and helping America to Never Forget 9/11.
