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by Ken Rosato
(New York -WABC) — From Brooklyn to lower Manhattan, an emotional race was run Sunday honoring one of New York's bravest who died on 9/11. Eyewitness News reporter Ken Rosato was there for this year's third annual "Tunnel to Towers" run.
For the third year in a row, firefighter Dan McKay of Tampa, Florida wins the firefighter Stephen Siller "Tunnel to Towers" run.
Dan McKay, Race Winner: "It feels great being a part of this event, being here the past three years. Let me tell ya, this event just, it grows and grows."
This year, more than 5,000 runners joined McKay, including Evan Mulvihill, a relative of the man for whom the race is named.
Evan Mulvihill, Runner: "It means a lot because my grand-aunt's brother is the one who died, Stephen Siller, and even though I didn't really know him personally, it was a tragedy for everybody."
Siller was a firefigher with the FDNY's Squad One. On 9/11, after hearing what was happening downtown, Siller loaded 80 pounds of rescue gear on his back and headed for the city from his home the fastest way he could at the time: By running two miles through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel. He made it to the trade center, and was never seen again.
The husband and father literally ran to his death in the hopes of helping others.
George Siller, Brother: "It was a heroic feat and we're so proud of him and we want to honor him for that."
The annual race re-traces Siller's steps through the battery tunnel. Firefighters line the route, wearing the gear of their 343 fallen comrades while displaying banners bearing their images.
Scott Forman, Pennsylvania Firefighter: "It means a lot though definitely.. just to be part of this. He was a brother to all of us."
In the past two years this race has raised nearly half a million dollars for charity. It's hoped that today's race will bring that total to nearly a million dollars.
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