Tunnel to Towers 5K Run & Walk - Big Pine Key, FL

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 3 miles through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel to the Twin Towers. We honor those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001 by supporting our first responders and military who make extraordinary sacrifices in the line of duty. More information on the Tunnel to Towers Foundation is at www.t2t.org.

This event will be our fourth annual event. We bring together the community to honor first responders, remember 9/11, and raise funds for the Tunnel to Towers programs.

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

Packet pickup is on November 20th, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Big Pine Key Community Park, 31009 Atlantis Blvd, Big Pine Key. Food is available from Pops BBQ (10% of proceeds go to the Tunnel2Towers Foundation). The evening also features the U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team, the 9/11 mobile exhibit and a drone show.

You can also pick up your bib and T-shirt the morning of the event at the venue at 7 AM, when registration opens.

Registration remains open through Saturday, November 20, 2026, and closes promptly at race time. Registering online saves time and money. Registration prices on race day increase $10 for all registrations except First Responders. T-shirt sizes cannot be guaranteed for late or same-day registrants, so register early.

Display your bib on the front of your outermost garment. Runners 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 per mile will be seeded in the first corral behind any first responders and/or military. Arrive early. First Responders and Military should be called prior to the start of the event and will position at the front of the start line, with elite runners directly behind them.

Placement awards will be given to the top finishers. Awards are kept simple: most are based on firefighters, police or military running in gear, in the same fashion that Stephen Siller did on 9/11. This event is intended to be an experience and much more than a run.

A water station will be available along the route, and water is available at the start and finish.

Parking is available at Big Pine Community Park, with overflow parking on neighboring streets. Do not park in driveways or on private property.

This course is a flat closed road course starting near Big Pine Community Park, entering surrounding neighborhoods and finishing back in the park. A portion of the race route is uneven.

Strollers and wheelchairs are permitted, as are firefighter turnout gear and military backpacks. Leave all personal items and valuables in your vehicle. All items should be stored securely at the owner's risk. Tunnel to Towers Foundation will not be responsible for the loss of any items.

Your registration fee does not count toward the fundraising goal.

Someone else may pick up your packet if they present a copy of your registration receipt. We cannot mail packets.

Donations will be accepted for 6 weeks after the event.

Send all sponsorship correspondence to [email protected] with your contact information. Someone will be in touch within 24 hours.

Donating goods or services

Contact [email protected]. We make every effort to keep costs down so that we can give the most to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation in Stephen Siller's name.

Once registered, you will receive directions to start your own fundraising page, where you can accept donations online. Contact [email protected] for help with the process. You can also send donations directly to ATTN: Big Pine Key 5K, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306. Please include your information so we can add it to your fundraising page.

Mail offline donations to:
Tunnel to Towers Foundation
ATTN: Big Pine Key/Adam Santamaria
2361 Hylan Blvd.
Staten Island, NY 10306

We do not provide refunds for the event, whether you cannot make the date or the foundation needs to cancel the event for extenuating circumstances.

Register online as a volunteer. Volunteers are always needed on the day of the event.

When you register online you should automatically receive a receipt. If paying by credit card or check, that is your receipt. If paying in cash, a receipt is available upon request.

An Emergency Medical Service team will be available on site. Radio communication is also available on the course to help communicate with the EMS.

Fundraising incentives are offered each year; see the latest in the Fundraising Guide. To qualify, complete your fundraising by mid December 2025.