This year to honour the 20th anniversary of the tragic events that happened in NYC on September 11th 2001, a team of firefighters will be running 6km and climbing the stairs to the top of Xscape and back down again.

The first group of firefighters will be wearing 35kg of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and firefighting equipment. This kit is designed to keep heat out and it creates an environment where participants will have to fight every step of the way to maintain their core body temperature and replace essential fluids.

There will also be a second group of runners from the Emergency Services who will be chasing down the first group wearing either their own pt/gym wear or full firefighting kit.

The route will follow the redways from West Ashland Fire Station to the Xscape Building, CMK. The route will go along Grafton Street before turning and heading up Midsummer Boulevard, going past the Hub and the Shopping Centre, before turning and going under Avebury Boulevard and heading over to the front of Xscape Building. Once there; all participants will ascend the stairs within Xscape before descending to the finish line. 

Timings on the day:

• 13:46pm - First group of Firefighters leave West Ashland.
• 14:03pm - Second group of runners will leave West Ashland.
• 14:45pm to 15:00pm - Approximate finish time of all competitors.

Background to the Challenge

The September 11 attacks, often referred to as 9/11, were a series of four coordinated terrorist attacks against the United States on the morning of Tuesday, September 11, 2001. The attacks resulted in 2,977 fatalities, over 25,000 injuries, and substantial long-term health consequences. In addition to at least $10 billion in infrastructure and property damage. It is the deadliest terrorist attack in human history and the single deadliest incident for firefighters (343 died) and law enforcement officers (63 died) in the history of the United States.

Firefighter Stephen Gerard Siller was the youngest of seven children born to George and Mae Siller. At the age of eight, Stephen lost his father, one year and a half later his mother passed away, leaving him an orphan to be raised by his older siblings. For a while Stephen went through a period of struggle, but thanks to the love of his siblings and the values instilled in him by his parents, he grew up to be an extraordinary individual and dedicated firefighter. More than most, he knew that time was precious and accomplished many things in his 34 years of life.

On September 11, 2001, Stephen, who was assigned to Brooklyn’s Squad 1, had just finished his shift and was on his way to play golf with his brothers when he got word over his scanner of a plane hitting the North Tower of the World Trade Center. Upon hearing the news, Stephen called his wife Sally and asked her to tell his brothers he would catch up with them later. He returned to Squad 1 to get his gear.

Stephen drove his truck to the entrance of the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, but it had already been closed for security purposes. Determined to carry out his duty, he strapped 60 lbs. of gear to his back, and raced on foot through the tunnel to the Twin Towers, where he gave up his life while saving others.

Run. Walk. Honour. The Tunnel to Towers 5K Run & Walk in New York is held, each year, on the last Sunday of September. What began with 1,500 people in 2002 is now considered by many to be one of the top 5K runs in America.

The event symbolizes Stephen Siller’s final footsteps from the foot of the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel (formerly known as the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel) to the Twin Towers Site, and pays homage to the 343 FDNY firefighters, 63 law enforcement officers, and thousands of civilians who lost their lives. To date, more than 500,000 people have followed in Stephen’s footsteps.