Tunnel to Towers 5K Run & Walk - The Villages, FL
About the race
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.
This will be the third The Villages T2T 5K, bringing the community together to honor first responders, remember 9/11, and raise funds for the Tunnel to Towers programs.
Anyone can run, walk, or experience this event.
Water
Three water stations will be available along the route, and water will be available at the start/finish line.
Medical support
An Emergency Medical Service team will be on site. Radio communication is also available on the course to help communicate with the EMS.
Packet pickup
Packet pickup will take place on Friday, November 13th between 9:00am and 5:00pm, and between 7:00am and 8:00am on Saturday, November 14th.
Picking up packets on Friday, November 13th is strongly recommended to avoid the possibility of missing the start of the race.
Race day registration
Registration will open at 8:00 a.m. on the morning of the run. Late registrants may not receive a shirt, and sizes are not guaranteed, though the organizers will do their best.
Online registration remains open until race day registration closes. Those who register after packet pickup may not receive a t-shirt or other race day swag.
Awards
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. The event is intended to be an experience and much more than a run.
Fundraising
Your registration fee does not count toward the fundraising goal.
Donations will be accepted for 6 weeks after the event.
Fundraising incentives are offered each year; see the Fundraising Guide. To qualify, complete your fundraising by June 30, 2024 for winter and spring events, or by October 10, 2024 for summer and fall events.
Starting your own fundraising page
Once registered, you will be given directions to start your own fundraising page and accept donations online. Contact [email protected] for help with the process, or send donations directly to ATTN: Rori Englert, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306, and include your information so it can be added to your fundraising page.
Offline donations
Please mail any offline donations to:
Tunnel to Towers Foundation
ATTN: Rori Englert
2361 Hylan Blvd.
Staten Island, NY 10306
Sponsorship and donated goods
Send all sponsorship correspondence to [email protected] with your contact information, and someone will be in touch within 24 hours.
To donate goods or services to this event, contact [email protected]. Costs are kept low so the Tunnel to Towers Foundation can receive the most in Stephen Siller's name.
Runners and spectators
Yes, they can. They must present a copy of your registration receipt.
Volunteering
Volunteers are always needed on the day of the festivities. Email [email protected], and you will receive a reply within 24 hours.
Receipts
Online registrations automatically generate a receipt. For credit card or check payments, that is your receipt. For cash payments, a receipt is available on request.
Bib rules
Bibs must be displayed 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.
Seeding for fast runners
Runners predicting a pace faster than 6 minutes per mile will be seeded at the front of the field, so arrive early.
Items allowed on course
Strollers and wheelchairs are permitted. Firefighter turnout gear and military backpacks are also permitted.
Do not leave any personal items visible in your vehicle. All items should be stored securely at the owner's risk. Tunnel to Towers Foundation is not responsible for the loss of any items.
Changing a bib name
Contact [email protected] so the change can be made in the system.
Cancellation policy
Athletes can cancel their registration, but no refund is given.
No refunds are given, whether you cannot make the date or the foundation must cancel for extenuating circumstances. Registration may be transferred to another person.
The course
Location
City insight: The Villages
The Villages is a census-designated place spanning Sumter, Marion, and Lake counties in central Florida, and it anchors a large master-planned, age-restricted community. It lies about 20 miles south of Ocala and 45 miles northwest of Orlando, and had 79,077 residents at the 2020 census. The climate is humid subtropical, with hot, humid summers, so the cooler months from November through April are the best time to race.
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