This year, the annual event that raises funds for first responders, members of the military, and their families kicked-off differently than it had in decades past. While runners still followed the path of fallen firefighter Stephen Siller as he and his crew responded to the attacks on the World Trade Center by running through the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel to Ground Zero, it also had an additional procession.
Beginning from the mouth of the tunnel on the Manhattan side and led by two horses, a large steel beam from the South Tower was slowly paraded through the streets. Stephen Siller’s brother and CEO of Tunnel to Towers Frank Siller, solemnly followed the debris as he and other dignitaries retraced his brother’s footsteps.
“Twenty-five years ago, my brother Stephen ran through that tunnel and gave up his life to save others at Ground Zero. On September 27, tens of thousands of people will run through that tunnel honoring his memory and the memory of all those heroes who continue his legacy of selfless sacrifice,” Frank Siller said.
The 5K run honors the 343 FDNY firefighters, law enforcement officers, court officers, and thousands of civilians who were killed on September 11, 2001; along with those who have since succumbed to 9/11-related illnesses; and the more than 7,000 U.S. service members who have lost their lives in the Global War on Terror. The sold-out event grew from 1,500 participants in 2002 into one of the country’s largest and most patriotic 5K events. In 2026, some 40,000 participants were expected from across the country.
John Mitchell arrived in New York for the event all the way from Tampa, Florida, and says he made the trek to benefit amputees. He shared his experience running through the nor’easter and marking the 25th anniversary.
“This is pre-hurricane [season] for us in Florida, but hey, sometimes you gotta have the balls to live. That’s all it’s about,” Mitchell said. “I was in Fort Carson, Colorado on 9/11 and everything just froze. And just to be able to come back and be here is a memorable moment. I put my foot on the ground and gave my effort to encourage people to keep them living.”
Tunnel to Towers has become famous for helping the families who lost loved ones pay off their mortgages and live life without worrying how to keep their homes. Jennifer McNamara, who ran for her husband FDNY firefighter John McNamara who died in 2009 due to 9/11 related cancer, broke down into tears once she crossed the finish line.
“Because of Tunnel to Towers, I can give my house to my son, and they do amazing work for so many of us line of duty families, military families, they’re just incredible, unbelievable people,” McNamara said. “Twenty-five is a huge number, right? And I think for all of us, I was here that day. My husband was a fireman that day, and I think for all of us, it’s a huge milestone. And 25 years, it’s hard to believe it’s been that long.”
McNamara’s son, Jack McNamara, was only 2 years old when his father passed away, but has since become a firefighter himself. He ran into Manhattan in full uniform and carried a photograph of his father.
“Running this today with all these people here feels like it’s supporting my dad, his friends, and everyone else we lost that day, including the days following and the years after. We’re still losing people,” Jack McNamara said. “People are dying every day from 9/11 cancer, 9/11 illness, something like that. So we got to remember all of them.
