Bore Of Fort McHenry Tunnel To Shut Down For Run Sunday
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- More than 100,000 vehicles travel through the Fort McHenry every day, but once a year you get the chance to walk through it.
The 8th Annual Fort McHenry Tunnel 5K Walk/Run is Sunday, and it benefits Special Olympics Maryland.
"It's a bucket list item," says Jim Schmutz, CEO of Special Olympics Maryland. "We drive through the tunnel every day. One time a year they close it down for the benefit of Special Olympics Maryland.
Organizers are hoping to raise $50,000 this year.
Special Olympics athlete Annu Singleton has done the tunnel run before, and will run again this weekend.
"I'm doing the run on Sunday," he says. "I'm excited, I'm ready to go. I've done it before. It's challenging and difficult but I managed to get it done."
Singleton also says he appreciates the support from the community.
"When we can come out here as law enforcement and partner witht he community to help such a worthwhile cause, it's a great day for us," says Maryland Transportation Authority Police Chief Colonel Jerry Jones.
MDTA recruit class 49 will be there, too.
"The night before the run our operations team comes out and they clean the tunnel out thoroughly. They keep it closed down so its all ready to go Sunday morning. So everybody can come through 115 feet below the Baltimore Harbor.
Tunnel traffic will flow normally but northbound bore four will be closed.
Registration begins at 8 a.m. and the race kicks off at 9 a.m.
For more info on the run, CLICK HERE.
