Walk, run and climb to remember the fallen of 9/11

Organizers have opened registration for the third annual Tunnel to Towers 5K Run/Walk & Climb, an event that helps remember firefighter Stephen Siller and his FDNY brothers who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001.

The run, a nationwide effort, is named in honor of a New York Firefighter Stephen Siller who in full gear, ran from the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel to the World Trade Center where he lost his life while saving others. 

The event takes place on Saturday, Sept. 16 beginning at 6 p.m. at Fort Maurepas in Ocean Springs where runners and walkers will make their way across the Biloxi Bay Bridge to the finish line at the Margaritaville Resort in Biloxi. 

“It looks like it’s going to be bigger and better than last year,” Biloxi Firefighter and event coordinator Justin Lopez said.  “With the addition of a stair climb, and more after party festivities on Margaritaville’s pool deck, this event is going to be awesome.” 

Registrants may choose to participate in the 5K or the 5K and climb. The climb, symbolic of the 110 floors in the World Trade Center, entails going up the 22 floors of Margaritaville Resort a total of five times to make a total of 110 floors.

After party festivities for participants include access to the pool and waterslides, viewing of a college football game on a 10-foot by 16-foot LED screen, drinks specials and a 9/11 tribute fireworks display.

Injured soldiers who have received specially adapted smart homes from the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation’s program, Building for America’s Bravest, will also be in attendance. 

Entry fees are $25 for the 5K and $35 for the 5K and climb.  Participants are asked on event morning to park on the west side of Margaritaville and Coast Transit Authority will buses everyone to the start at Fort Maurepas.

The event was brought to Biloxi by Biloxi Firefighter Justin Lopez and his wife Bridgett who, after attending the Tunnel to Towers 5K Run & Walk in New York, hoped to bring an event of that caliber to their home state of Mississippi where it is the T2T tradition for military and first responders to participate in even wearing their gear or uniform.
See the event flyer
Visit registration information
Visit the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation website