Give & Take: A Run to Remember at the Tunnel to Towers 5K

On Sunday, September 27, Prosek colleagues will lace up their running (or walking) shoes and take part in the Tunnel to Towers 5K Run & Walk, joining thousands of participants in honoring America’s first responders, service members, and their families.

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation supports America’s heroes by providing mortgage-free homes to Gold Star and fallen first responder families, building specially adapted smart homes for injured veterans and first responders, and working to eradicate veteran homelessness. Just as importantly, the Foundation is committed to ensuring that America never forgets the events of September 11, 2001, and the extraordinary acts of courage and sacrifice that defined that day.

As a native New Yorker, born and raised in the city, I have a personal connection to the event, as do millions of others. Friends and schoolmates of mine lost loved ones in the attacks, making the tragedy deeply personal to the communities I grew up in. Years later, I worked in One World Trade Center, where each day served as a powerful reminder of both what our city endured and how it has moved forward. It is hard to believe 25 years have passed, but the memories of that day, and of the courage and resilience New Yorkers showed in its aftermath, remain vivid.

The annual 5K retraces the final footsteps of Stephen Siller, a New York City firefighter who lost his life on September 11. After learning that the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel had been closed to vehicles, Siller donned approximately 60 pounds of gear and ran through the tunnel toward the Twin Towers, where he ultimately gave his life helping others.

Having participated in the 5K last year, I experienced firsthand what makes the event so powerful. The morning is filled with a palpable sense of pride in New York City and gratitude for those who serve. It is an opportunity to pay tribute to the first responders who displayed extraordinary heroism 25 years ago, while also recognizing the active-duty service members, veterans, and first responders who continue to protect our communities today.

Beginning in Red Hook, Brooklyn, the route takes participants through the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel into Lower Manhattan before finishing near the World Trade Center.

And yes, I know what you’re thinking: Most of the route is through a tunnel? As in, an underwater tunnel? That sounds warm, to say the least.

Yes. Yes, it is. And don’t worry – it’s crowded in there, too!

But it’s worth every drop of sweat.

There is something uniquely moving about running alongside colleagues while surrounded by members of local fire departments, municipal police departments, and law enforcement agencies from across the country, many participating in uniform or carrying banners honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice. As you make your way through the tunnel, the sounds of footsteps, chants, cheers, and patriotic songs echo off the walls around you. I hope you like Bruce Springsteen!

The experience is a powerful reminder that the event is about much more than crossing a finish line. It is a privilege for Prosek to participate alongside them.

This year’s event also comes at a particularly meaningful moment for the country, as the United States celebrates its semiquincentennial – 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the birth of our nation. Throughout the anniversary year, communities across the country are marking that milestone through civic events, historical programs, and service initiatives. Our team is proud to contribute to that spirit by participating in an event rooted in remembrance, community, and shared purpose.

Twenty-five years after September 11, 2001, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation continues to ensure that the courage displayed that day is never forgotten. What began in the aftermath of one of the most devastating moments in our nation’s history has grown into a uniting force and an enduring demonstration of service, gratitude, and community.

We’re proud to represent Prosek at this year’s Tunnel to Towers 5K, and even prouder to support the heroes and families at the heart of its mission.

If you would like to donate to the Foundation, you can do so here.

We’ll see everyone at the starting line!