Tunnel to Towers 5K Run & Walk - Virginia Beach, VA

1701 Atlantic Ave., Virginia Beach VA

Saturday, September 19th, 2026

What is a Tunnel To Towers Run & Walk?

Purpose: The Tunnel to Towers Run & Walk 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!
Information: For more information on the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation please visit www.t2t.org.

Date & Location: This event will take place on September 19, 2026, at 1701 Atlantic Ave., Virginia Beach, VA.
Community Gathering: This will be our second Virginia Beach 5K and we are excited to bring together the community of Virginia Beach, so rich in its patronage to our service members stationed here.
Commemoration: This is how we want to commemorate the 23rd anniversary of 9/11, and remember our heroes like Stephen who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Fundraising: No better way than to raise funds for the Tunnel to Towers programs.

Distance: This is a 5K (approximately 3.1 miles) to walk or run this event. Anyone can run, walk, or experience this event.

Location: Packet pickup will be at Murphy’s Irish Restaurant (2914 Pacific Avenue, Virginia Beach, VA 23451).
Date & Time: Saturday, November 15th, from 1 PM to 5 PM, or on the morning of the race starting at 7 AM at the Pavilion Stage at 24th Street Park.

Day-of Registration: Yes. Registration will open at 7 AM the morning of the run. If you wait to register, we may not have a shirt for you and we do not guarantee sizes for late registrants but we will do our best!
Online Registration: Online registration will remain open until race day registration is closed. If you register after packet pick-up, you may not receive your t-shirt and any other race day swag.
Bib Requirement: Yes, please display your bib on the front of your outermost garment. Those who run without a bib will be asked to leave the course and will not be allowed to finish.
Fast Runners: Runners predicting a pace faster than 6 minutes/mile will be seeded in the front of the runners (arrive early).

Awards: Yes, we keep them very simple since our mission is to honor first responders, most of our awards are based on firefighters, police or military running in gear in the same fashion that Stephen Siller did on 9/11.
Water Availability: Yes, three water stations will be available along the route and there will be water available at the start/finish line.

Permitted Items: Strollers and wheelchairs are permitted. Firefighter turnout gear and military backpacks are also permitted. Please do not leave any personal items visible in your vehicle. No dogs are permitted at this event.
Registration Fee: Your registration fee does not count toward the fundraising goal.
Packet Pickup: Anyone can pick up your packet: they must present a copy of your registration receipt.
Donation Period: Donations will be accepted for 6 weeks after the event.

Sponsorship: Please send all sponsorship correspondence to virginiabeachrun@:t2t.org with your contact information.
Goods and Services Donations: You can contact us at virginiabeachrun@:t2t.org to donate goods or services to this event.
Fundraising Page: 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: Rori Englert, 2361 Hylan Blvd., Staten Island, NY 10306.

Transfer Registration: Yes. See information above OR contact us at virginiabeachrun@:t2t.org so we can change it in our system.
Refund Policy: We do not provide refunds for the event regardless if you cannot make the date or the foundation needs to cancel the event for extenuating circumstances.

Volunteering: It's simple! Email us at virginiabeachrun@:t2t.org and we will reply within 24 hours. Volunteers are always needed for the day of festivities.
Medical Support: Yes, there will be an Emergency Medical Service team available on site.

Incentives: Yes, we offer fundraising incentives each year: check out our latest in our Fundraising Guide.
Qualification Date: To qualify, complete your fundraising by June 30, 2024 for winter and spring events, or October 10, 2024 for summer and fall events.

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