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.
• Commemoration: 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 Info: For more information on the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, please visit www.t2t.org.
• Event Growth: 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 Details

• Date: Sunday, August 16, 2026.
• Start Time: Run/walk starts at 9:11 am with opening ceremonies at 8:30 am.
• Early Arrival: We encourage everyone to come early enough to be part of our ceremonies which will honor and remember those lost on 9/11.
• Acknowledgment: 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.

Course Information

• Start/Finish 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.
• Post-Event Activities: There will be live entertainment, food trucks, children’s activities, vendors and our closing ceremony with awards, so plan on sticking around after the run/walk!
• Distance: This is a 5K (3.1 miles) to walk or run this event. Anyone can run, walk, or experience this event.

Packet Pickup Information

• Location: Packet pickup will be at The Sneaker Store, 24 Genesee St, New Hartford, NY.
• Schedule: 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 also 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.
• Day-of 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.

Post-Race Ceremony

• Closing Ceremony: 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 on Genesee St. in front of the State Office Building.
• Activities: We will also have various vendors, children’s activities and food trucks.
• After Party: Starting at 12 noon, our annual after party will take place with live entertainment and specials for all participants.
• Community Engagement: Make a day of the CNY T2T event and join us for the after party!

Additional Information

• Parking/Shuttles: On street parking will be available in the blocks surrounding the finish line area. Buses will be available to shuttle participants before the event only.
• Registration Transfers: Yes, you can transfer your registration to another participant. Sign into your runsignup.com account to manage transfers.
• No Refunds: We do not provide refunds for the event regardless of circumstances.
• Medical Services: Yes, there will be Emergency Medical Services available covering the course and start and finish line areas.

Contact and Sponsorship

• Volunteer Information: Email us at centralny@t2t.org if interested in volunteering for the day of festivities.
• Company Sponsorship: Please send all sponsorship correspondence to centralny@t2t.org.
• Goods or Services Donations: You can contact us at centralny@t2t.org to donate goods or services to this event.
• Fundraising: Yes, you can fundraise and encourage others to donate, after you are registered.

Event Link

• Registration: For more information and to register, please visit this link.