More than 300 people gathered at Sanders Ferry Park on Oct. 17 for the Tunnel to Towers 5K Run & Walk, raising well over $30,000 for first responders and military families, the Hendersonville Standard reported.
The race marked the sixth year the event has taken place in Hendersonville, according to the event's listing on Running.Life. The 5K is part of a nationwide series honoring New York City firefighter Stephen Siller, who strapped on his gear and ran through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel toward the collapsing Twin Towers on Sept. 11, 2001. He died trying to save others.
Siller's family founded the Tunnel to Towers Foundation to carry on his legacy. The organization has provided more than 1,700 mortgage-free homes to families of fallen service members and first responders, as well as to catastrophically injured veterans and first responders, according to Fox News. Foundation CEO Frank Siller, Stephen's brother, has led the effort.
The Hendersonville event was open to runners and walkers along a 3.1-mile course based at 513 Sanders Ferry Rd. Registration ranged from $5 for children 12 and under to $25 for adults. First responders and military members registered for $20, and youth ages 13 to 17 paid $10. Registration fees did not count toward the fundraising total; separate donations were accepted.
The race was untimed. Awards recognized participants who ran in firefighter, police or military gear.
The event's online fundraising page on RunSignUp showed $24,665 raised toward a $25,000 goal. The Hendersonville Standard reported the overall total exceeded $30,000, though a breakdown of that figure was not available.
