For over a decade, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation has hosted its annual 5K Run & Walk at Cranes Roost Park in Altamonte Springs, Florida, to honor the sacrifices of first responders and military heroes, particularly those lost on September 11, 2001. The event, held on September 6, 2025, draws thousands, including local firefighters, police, and community members, to commemorate FDNY firefighter Stephen Siller’s heroic run through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel to the Twin Towers. Participants, some running in full gear, help raise funds—approximately $150,000 in 2024—to support the Foundation’s mission of providing mortgage-free homes to families of fallen first responders and injured veterans.

The Altamonte Springs 5K, now in its 13th year, fosters a sense of community and remembrance, with first responders and military personnel leading the race, often in full uniform, to honor their fallen comrades. The event includes a First Responder Team Challenge, where teams like the Seminole County Fire Department compete for awards, such as the Stephen G. Siller Steel Award, which includes a piece of Twin Towers steel. Held at 274 Cranes Roost Blvd., the race features a wave start for social distancing and a pre-race ceremony to reflect on 9/11, making it a powerful tribute to heroism and resilience.