According to Gothamist, there were 25,000 participants in this year’s Tunnel to Towers Run. The 5k race took place on Sunday morning the 27th. Even though the weather was less, than optimal, the turn-out was incredible. As if the massive turnout was not inspiring enough, the real inspiration comes from the event upon which the race was conceived. The Tunnel to Towers Run is a tribute to the Brooklyn firefighter, Stephen Siller, who on September 11 2001 decided to run through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, wearing 70 pounds of firefighting gear, to the World Trade Center. After arriving at Trade Center, Siller lost his life trying to save victims of the attack on the Trade Center Towers.  The race starts at the Gowanus approach to the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel and enters Manhattan on West Street.

In addition to the rainy weather, this year had an additional setback, at the UPS truck carrying t-shirts, and other items for the event, caught fire, and was partially destroyed. Management at the Hilton Garden Inn on Staten Island stepped in, as soon as they caught word of the incident, and offered to launder all of the salvageable t-shirts, so that they could be ready in time for the race.

All of the money raised from the event, goes to a charity, called Stephen’s House. The Tunnel to Towers run has raised $5 million so far, with the money going towards to burn victims and needy children. Stephen’s House, a new New York Foundling facility that will house teenagers, is almost complete; here’s information on how to donate.

[photo: Hilton Flores/Staten Island Advance]