A True Hero

The Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers run is held each year in New York City to remember the life of New York City Firefighter Stephen Siller, who lost his life on Sept. 11, 2001.

Siller was not working on Sept. 11, but when he heard that the World Trade Center had been hit, he tried to make his way to the scene to assist his fellow firefighters helping those who were trapped in the towers.  On his way in to Manhattan, Siller was stopped at the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel.  The tunnel had been shut down and cars blocked the tunnel all the way from Brooklyn in to Manhattan.  Siller abandoned his truck, grabbed his fire gear and ran all the way to the World Trade Center with 75 pounds of gear on his back.  He was killed that day when the south tower collapsed with him and so many of his fellow firefighters still inside fighting to save lives.

An Inspirational Event

A Run to Remember

On Sept. 28, 2008, one member of the Fresh Start Posse participated in the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers 5K run in New York City.  The run, which starts in Brooklyn and runs through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, through Battery Park and ends near the World Trade Center site, drew over 15,000 runners and walkers from all over the world.

Over 200 firefighters from the London Fire Brigade flew over from England to participate in the run, and many of them ran the 3.1 miles in their turnout gear.

Also participating in the run were Siller's wife and one of his sons.  Sarah Siller ran the 5K wearing her husband's turnout coat the entire distance in his memory.

As runners emerged from the tunnel on the Manhattan side, members of the New York City Fire Dept., dressed in full dress uniform, lined both sides of the roadway for 500 feet.  The firemen held American Flags and banners bearing the names and photos of fellow firefighters who were killed as a result of the attacks on September 11, 2001.

This event is not about running a good time, it's not even about the exercise or staying fit.  It's about remembering the sacrafice so that so many men and women made that day and continue to make today. 

Chris will be running this event again on September 27, 2009.

Through Battery Park & Finishing