Tunnel to Towers 5K raises more than $60,000

MEDINA — More than $60,000 was raised by participants of the 12th annual Tunnel to Towers 5K Run and Walk on Sunday. The race remembers the first responders who died in the 9/11 attacks and is based on New York Firefighter Stephen Siller's story. On the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, Siller was golfing with his brother when he found out that a plane had struck the Twin Towers. Race director Chris D'Errico said Siller got stuck in traffic in the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel, but decided to get his gear and run the last 3 miles to get to the tower to help with the rescue. Siller died saving others on 9/11. His family decided to start a race in New York to honor him, with other races popping up throughout the country. D'Errico said Medina was one of the first to host the race outside of New York City. Each race is a key fundraiser for the Tunnels to Towers Foundation, which supports building smart homes for veterans and paying off mortgages for the families of first responders who are killed in the line of duty. "I am proud to say that 93 cents from every dollar that is given through this organization makes its way to help veterans," D'Errico said. Through Sunday's race, $62,316 was raised for the foundation and its efforts. "I am so proud of Medina, and I am so proud of this crowd," Medina Mayor Dennis Hanwell said. "Over 1,100 racers, well done. I have been in law enforcement in Medina County for over 44 years. I have worked as a first responder. I have had my members hurt, injured and some disabled in the line of duty. We thank you for all that you do day in and day out. We pray to God to keep you safe." Race director Mark Phillips said that in Ohio alone, there have been 30 first responders who died in the line of duty whose families were helped through the foundation. Several of Sunday's participants were active and retired first responders, with some running in the gear and equipment they use to respond to emergencies. Joshua Theaker, a participant in Sunday's race and former firefighter at the Hinckley Fire Department, said he always tries to get the word out about the foundation. "I've seen a couple of guys in this area pass away, and when I saw Tunnels to Towers show up at their house and write them a check, I made this my mission," Theaker said. "I know that they do so much good for everyone. It goes beyond this race. They send me stuff all of the time. This past summer, they sent something about how they are taking over old hotels and transforming them into homeless veteran homes. They're going to do one or two here in Cleveland." Theaker said the foundation does a great job of helping those who need it most. "I absolutely love the way that they do this," he said. "Any time that I can get the name out for Tunnel to Towers, I do it." Contact reporter Patrick Rhonemus at (330) 721–4050 or prhonemus@medina-gazette.com.