Tunnel to Towers 5K Run & Walk - Madison, WI

🏃‍♂️ 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!
• Foundation Info: For more information on the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation please visit www.t2t.org.
• Community: This will be the first year for the Madison, WI area and we are excited to bring together the community to honor first responders, remember 9/11, and raise funds for the Tunnel to Towers programs.

📍 Where is the Event?

• Location: This 5K event will be held in DeForest, WI, starting and ending from Veterans Memorial Park (209 N. Main Street, DeForest, WI 53532).
• Proximity: With the close proximity to Madison, about a 10 minute drive from Madison’s Northeast side and about a 25 minute drive to downtown Madison, the event was branded to help people identify the nearby area.

🏁 How Far is a Tunnel to Towers Run & Walk?

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

🚫 Is a Shorter Distance “Fun Run” Offered?

• No Shorter Option: No. However, participants can run/walk a shorter distance before returning to the park if they wish to do less than the 5K.
• Route Markings: The half mile and 1 mile mark from the start line will be marked, giving participants the opportunity to create their own 1 mile or 2 mile route if desired.

🗺️ What is the 5K Route Like?

• Trail: Our route follows the Yahara River Trail and is an out-and-back route to eliminate excessive street crossings.
• Paved: The trail is paved for the entire length of the route.
• Elevation: The route is primarily flat with one small hill at the halfway turn-around. Total elevation gain in the first half of the route is approximately 10 meters (33 feet) with a total elevation loss of the same on the second half of the route.

🏨 Hotel Recommendations

• Nearby Hotels: There are numerous hotels in the area.
• Sponsor: The Holiday Inn Express & Suites Madison Central is a proud sponsor of our event and is offering a special rate of $79 per room, per night for travelers to our event.
• Location: Their hotel is located at 610 John Nolen Dr., Madison, WI 53713, about a 25 minute drive from the start/finish line.
• Booking: To receive the special rate, book by Saturday, May 17th by using the link here: T2T at Holiday Inn Express & Suites Madison Central.

📦 Packet Pick-Up

• Early Pick-Up: Early packet pick up is available on Friday, May 30th from 4pm to 6:30pm at Fleet Feet in Sun Prairie (2816 Prairie Lakes Drive #101, Sun Prairie, WI 53590).
• Event Day Pick-Up: Event day packet pick up will begin at 7:30am on Saturday, May 31st at DeForest Veterans Memorial Park.

📝 Registration Details

• Day-of Registration: Yes. You may register online until the beginning of the opening ceremony. On event day, volunteers on site can assist you in registering from 7:30 am until 8:30 am.
• Shirt Availability: Shirts may not be available if you register after May 11th.
• Fees: Registration rates increase on the day of the event. Therefore, advanced registration is encouraged.
• Online Closes: Online registration will be open until 9:00 am on the event day.

🚗 Parking Availability

• On-site Parking: Yes, some. There are approximately 30 parking stalls at Veterans Memorial Park in DeForest.
• Street Parking: Lots of nearby street parking is also available within a half mile of the park. Suggested street parking locations include Acker Parkway and Holum Street.

🏅 Bib Number Requirement

• Display: 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.

🏆 Awards

• No Awards: As noted above, this event is run in memory of our nation’s heroes, both past and present. Our event is not timed and is not intended to be competitive in nature.

💧 Water Stations

• Availability: Yes. Two water stations will be available along the route and there will be water available at the start/finish line.

🏃‍♀️ Allowed Items

• Permitted: Strollers and wheelchairs are permitted. The entire course route is paved.
• Valuables: Please leave all personal items and valuables in your vehicle. All items should be stored securely at the owner's risk.

💸 Registration Fees and Fundraising

• Fees: Your registration fee does not count toward the fundraising goal.
• Fundraising: Please help us in our mission to “do good” by fundraising and/or by spreading the word about our event to others who may be interested in joining us.

📜 Packet Pick-Up Assistance

• Proxy Pick-Up: Yes, they can. They must present a copy of your registration receipt.

💰 Donations

• After Start: Yes. Donations will be accepted for 6 weeks after the event.

🤝 Sponsorship Opportunities

• Contact: Please send all sponsorship correspondence to MadisonRun@t2t.org with your contact information.
• Response: We make every effort to reply within 48 hours or 2 business days.

🎁 Goods and Services Donation

• Contact: Please contact us at MadisonRun@t2t.org with your contact information.

📈 Fundraising Support

• Setup: Once you are registered, you will be given directions to start your own fundraising page and you will be able to accept donations online.