Tunnel to Towers 5K Run & Walk - Central NY
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 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! For more information on the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, please visit www.t2t.org . 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. 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: 9:11 am
Opening ceremonies: 8:30 am
Start and Finish Line
The event will start at the Utica 9/11 Memorial located at Sherman Drive & The Parkway (near MVCC). 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-Race Festivities
There will be live entertainment, food trucks, children’s activities, vendors, and our closing ceremony with awards. Plan on sticking around after the run/walk!
Packet Pickup
Location: The Sneaker Store, 24 Genesee St, New Hartford, NY.
Dates/Times:
- Friday, August 14 from 3 pm to 7 pm
- Saturday, August 16 from 9 am to 3 pm
- Race day pickup: at the FINISH LINE AREA, in front of the State Office Building, at T2T Tent on Genesee St, Utica starting at 7:30 AM.
Registration
On-site registration will open at 7:30 am on race day. Online registration will be open until 8:45 am. Registrations after August 1 cannot guarantee shirts or sizes. All day-of registrations will be paperless, requiring payment via credit card using a QR code.
Awards
Awards include Fastest Male/Female Firefighter IN TURNOUT GEAR, Fastest Male/Female Police Officer IN UNIFORM, Fastest Male/Female Military member IN UNIFORM, most members from a group/organization, and the organization/group that raised the most money. Traditional competitive runner awards (overall Male/Female and age groups) will also be given.
Virtual Option
Participate from anywhere as a virtual participant to support the cause. T-shirts are included but must be picked up at scheduled packet pickup times; shipping is not standard.