Tunnel to Towers 5K Run & Walk - Central NY

What is a Tunnel To Towers Run & Walk?

• Purpose: The Tunnel to Towers Run/Walk & Climb Series was created to honor the heroic life and death of Stephen Siller, a New York City firefighter (FDNY) who lost his life on September 11, 2001 after strapping on his gear and running through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel to the Twin Towers.
• Honor: Honor all of those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001 and support our first responders and military who make extraordinary sacrifices in the line of duty!
• Foundation: For more information on the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, please visit www.t2t.org.
• Event Scope: We are now the T2T 5K run/walk event for all of Central New York, including Utica, Syracuse, Watertown, Binghamton, and surrounding areas. This will be the 6th annual Central New York event that will take place in Utica.

Event Significance

• 25th Anniversary: This year is the 25th anniversary of the September 11th attacks. We will be honoring and remembering those lost on that day and those lost since due to 9/11 related illnesses.

Event Details

• Date: Sunday, August 16, 2026. Run/walk starts at 9:11 am. Opening ceremonies with guest speakers will begin at 8:30 am.
• Location: The event will start at the Utica 9/11 Memorial located at Sherman Drive & The Parkway (near MVCC).
• Route: It will proceed westbound over the Parkway to Oneida St, northbound on Oneida St to Genesee St, then northbound on Genesee St to the downtown finish line.
• Activities: There will be live entertainment, food trucks, children’s activities, vendors, and our closing ceremony with awards.

Registration Information

• Packet Pickup: Packet pickup will be at The Sneaker Store, 24 Genesee St, New Hartford, NY. Pickup will be Friday August 14 from 3 pm to 7 pm AND Saturday August 16 from 9 am to 3 pm.
• Race Day Pickup: Race day pickup will be available at the FINISH LINE AREA, in front of the State Office Building, at T2T Tent on Genesee St, Utica starting at 7:30 AM day of the race.
• On-Site Registration: On site registration will open at 7:30 am the morning of the run and online registration will be open until 8:45 am the morning of the event.
• Day-of Registration: All day-of registrations will be paperless. We will have a QR code available to scan and you must use your phone and pay via credit card.

Post Race Activities

• Live Music: Live music by Poor Tim begins at 9:45 am and our closing ceremony, with guest speakers and awards, will begin at 11:00 am.
• Vendors: We will also have various vendors, children’s activities, and food trucks after the event.
• After Party: After the T2T event, starting at 12 noon, our annual after party will take place with live entertainment and specials for all participants.

Logistics

• Parking: On street parking will be available in the blocks surrounding the finish line area. Buses will be available to shuttle participants from the finish area to the start.
• Shuttle Timing: Buses will run from 7:30 am to 8:45 am. THERE WILL BE NO SHUTTLE BUSES RUNNING AFTER THE EVENT SO PLEASE PLAN ACCORDINGLY.

Awards and Recognition

• Performance Awards: Most awards are based on firefighters, police or military running in gear in the same fashion that Stephen Siller did on 9/11.
• Competitive Awards: Awards will include Fastest Male/Female Firefighter IN TURNOUT GEAR, Fastest Male/Female Police Officer IN UNIFORM, and Fastest Male/Female Military member IN UNIFORM.
• Group Awards: An award will also be presented for the organization/group that has raised the most money through their fundraising efforts.

Health and Safety

• Medical Staff: Yes, there will be Emergency Medical Services available covering the course and start and finish line areas.
• Water Stations: A water station will be available along the route and there will be water available at the finish line.

Fundraising and Donations

• Fundraising: Yes! Once you are registered, you will be given directions to start your own fundraising page and you will be able to accept donations online.
• Offline Donations: Please mail any offline donations to: Tunnel to Towers Foundation, ATTN: Alyssa Fussillo CNY, 2361 Hylan Blvd., Staten Island, NY 10306.

Contact Information

• Volunteer: Email us at centralny@:t2t.org to inquire about volunteer opportunities.
• Sponsorship: Please send all sponsorship correspondence to centralny@:t2t.org.
• Donation of Goods/Services: Contact us at centralny@:t2t.org to discuss opportunities.

For More Information

• Race URL: For more details, visit the race page.