Tunnel To Towers Run Honors Fallen Firefighter
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - The annual Tunnel to Towers Run through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel is this Sunday. It's a 5k race with the finish line at the World Trade Center site.
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The race started ten years ago with 2,000 people as a small tribute to Stephen Siller.
Siller was a New York City firefighter who ran through the tunnel on 9/11 with 60 pounds of gear on his back to respond to the terrorist attack. He never made it out.
His brother Frank says 30,000 will take part this Sunday.
"There's no holding it back now, whether we like it or not, cause so many people believe in not just Stephen's story, but the heroism that took place that day," he told WCBS 880 reporter Marla Diamond.
Participants emerge from the tunnel to the greetings of 343 firefighters.
"Each holding a picture of their lost brothers. You know, you break down. I don't care who you are. You just break down," said Frank.
The event has spawned dozens of races across the country and as far away as Afghanistan, raising $7 million for wounded soldiers and orphaned children.
"We are being guided from above. There is no question about it," Frank said. "I say Stephen's got God's ear every day whispering in there and saying 'Open this door. Send this person to him. Send that person to him. Because there have been so many miracles," said Frank.
The race itself starts at 9:30 a.m. and CBS 2 will have special coverage on television starting at 11 a.m.
For more information, click HERE.
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