By: Charles Fox

Thousands of runners retraced the steps of a fallen New York City firefighter Sunday in a moving tribute to 9/11 victims, raising more than $1 million for survivors and their families, the New York Post reported.

The annual Tunnel to Towers Foundation 5K Run & Walk drew 30,000 participants to follow the route of FDNY hero Stephen Siller, who famously ran from Red Hook through the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel to the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. The event’s proceeds support the foundation’s work building “smart homes” for injured veterans and providing free homes for families of fallen first responders with young children, as the New York Post previously reported.

“This event is the cornerstone of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation,” said Frank Siller, chairman and CEO, who established the race in 2002 in memory of his brother. “It remains a moving tribute to all of those lost on 9/11, 24 years later.” A New York Post report confirmed that participants included firefighters, police officers, military personnel, and civilians, with international supporters joining in — over 50 French firefighters came this year alone.

The event has also contributed to paying off mortgages for dozens of families who lost a parent in the line of duty. Frank Siller emphasized the importance of educating future generations about the sacrifices of first responders: “The true meaning of ‘Never forget’… is that the next generation needs to be educated, and also never forget,” the New York Post reported.

Fundraising continues for several more weeks, but the foundation has already surpassed $2.4 million through corporate and individual donations, according to the organization’s website. Police officer Keegan Muldowney from Potsdam, NY, helped his team, the Muldowney Moondogs, raise a record-breaking $135,000 in honor of his cousin, Ladder 7 firefighter Ritchie “Moondog” Muldowney, who died during the attacks, the New York Post noted.

“The good that Frank Siller and the Siller family do for catastrophically wounded veterans and the families of fallen first responders… is such a powerful message,” Muldowney said. “Everybody that we talked to wants to contribute to the good that the Tunnel to Towers Foundation is doing.”

Runners and walkers, representing military branches and family fundraising teams, traced Siller’s historic route through the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel, surrounded by American flags and portraits honoring the fallen, the New York Post reported. West Point cadets also participated, adding to the solemn yet inspiring atmosphere of the annual event.

The Muldowney family, fundraising for the foundation since its inception, has expanded efforts year-round with events in Florida, Long Island, and the Adirondack Mountains. Their dedication helped boost the team’s fundraising from $45,000 last year to six figures this year, according to the New York Post.

For many participants, the 5K is more than a race — it is a mission to honor heroes, support those left behind, and instill the values of remembrance and service in the next generation.