Firefighters worldwide unite for 9/11 Tunnel to Towers race
Published: 16 March, 2010
On September 26th 2010 members of the fire community across the UK will join fire fighters across the world for the New York Tunnel to Towers Race, in memory of Stephen Siller – just one of the heroes who died in the in the devastating 9/11 attack.
Bruce Reid a fire fighter from Harrogate first went over to America with three of his colleagues just a week after 9/11. Bruce felt emotionally attached to this tragedy and since then he has been spending his free time encouraging UK fire fighters to support their colleagues in America by remembering those who lost their lives on that horrific day.
For the last several years, Bruce and a team of UK fire fighters have run the 5k Tunnel to Towers race in New York. This race retraces the steps that off duty fire fighter Stephen Siller took on that fateful day. When Stephen heard on his scanner that the World Trade Center had been hit, he immediately turned his vehicle around and headed towards the site. When his truck was prohibited from entering the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, he raced on foot towards the towers with his gear strapped to his back.
Bruce now runs the race to honor the memory of all the fire fighters, Police, and EMS workers who performed their duty that day and to raise money for The Fire Fighters Charity. He explained how the welcome his team received from New York fire fighters and the appreciation for coming all the way from England every year has been overwhelming. The fire fighters in New York held a huge party after the race last year with 2,000 fire fighters and their families, Bruce said ‘it was a really great few days.’
Over 20,000 participants took part in the 2009 event and the 2010 event is expected to be even greater with thousands of people showing their respect for brave fire fighters who risk their lives to save others. The Fire Fighters Charity is organising a team of UK Fire Fighters to travel to New York and take part in this event and would love for as many people as possible to join in this memorable event!
Bruce told of the scene when he came through the tunnel. He said, “All of New York’s fire fighters were there on the day with family members holding up pictures of the fire fighters who lost their lives at the Twin Towers that fateful day. I am not a runner by nature but the emotion and support of the onlookers that day, carried me through to the end of the race.”
If you want to join Bruce and fire fighters across the world for this noteworthy race there are two options for you to choose from-
1- Option 1: Let us do the hard work!
The Fire Fighters Charity will make this event as hassle free as possible by by making all the arrangements on your behalf, leaving you to sit back and relax! You can secure your place with a registration fee of just £200 and by pledging to raise £1,500 for The Fire Fighters Charity.
Option 2: DIY It!
Alternatively, you can organise the trip yourself. For a £100 registration fee, and commitment to raise £700 in sponsorship we will secure your race entry and provide you with a Charity T-shirt, but you’ll need to organise your flights, accommodation and transfers yourself.
For more information please contact Ludo Macaulay at running@firefighterscharity.org.uk or call 01722 332211/07917 831571.
