Tunnel To Towers: Post Run

In the last nine months I’ve come so far with changes in my lifestyle. I’m more active, pay more attention to what I eat and trying to enjoy more of what life has to offer. Never did I imagine that I would be apart of something so amazing as the Tunnel To Towers 5K.

I was lucky enough to participate in this extraordinary event to honor many firefighters who gave their life on 9/11. People of all ages and sizes were involved and the kindess of strangers reminded me of the days after 9/11. Everyone was there for the same purpose, to never forget.

30,000+ people strong we ran through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel and along the waterway behind the World Trade Center. It took approximately 30 minutes to get to the start line from when Mayor Rudy Guiliani started the race – there were that many people! As you turned the corner to enter the tunnel Chuck Schmumer was there to slap your hand. As we entered the tunnel the crowd chanted “USA, USA” over and over again.

The tunnel was very hot since there was no fresh air in between the 2 miles of openings but I kept thinking to myself, “if a man ran through here with 75 lbs. of gear I have no excuse”. We ran by groups of military that kept together behind their flag, a group of NYCD wearing their gas masks and MANY firefighters in full gear. You couldn’t help but be in awe.

As we emerged from the tunnel over 300 firefighters in their blues lined the street holding banners of those who died. Runners stopped to shake their hands in gratitude for what they did that day and everyday. To our left were military holding American flags. As we ran along the waterfront behind the WTC there were several school bands and cheerleaders pushing us to keep going. Many people lined the streets just to watch.