Tunnel To Towers in Rochester Ahead of 9/11 Anniversary
By: Caroline Tucker
Updated: September 9, 2012
A race that is run in New York City by the thousands made a visit to Rochester as the anniversary of 9/11 approaches.
The Tunnel to Towers Run brought out several dozen runners at Genesee Valley Park on Sunday.
It was inspired by New York firefighter, Stephen Siller, who ran back to the twin towers through the Brooklyn Tunnel and later died.
The Rochester race director is from Long Island and experienced the loss of two people from her hometown, both New York City firefighters.
Those men were Tommy and Timmy Haskell.
"We need to remember it this was history. we need to remember what everybody went through and what's happened since then," said Michele Myers, the Rochester race director.
Michele Myers is an athletics teacher in the Rochester City School District and was going to school at SUNY Brockport when 9/11 happened.
She wanted to bring this run to Rochester to keep the memory alive for the victims.
She got the help of Cheryl Green, of Rochester, who helped organize the event as well, providing catering to all of the runners.
Green said she was doing the race in the memory of her mother who died four years ago. She said that her mother was deeply touched by the sacrifices made during 9/11, even though she never knew any of the victims.
The race drew local paramedics, firefighters, and military members.
Money raised goes to support families of 9/11 victims, first responders and soldiers who have been hurt.
It also goes to the local Warrior Salute program at CDS Monarch.
Retired Maj. Gen. Robert Mixon runs the local program, he said he is honored that this run will help support the work they do to help veterans with PTSD and brain injuries.
He said he will never forget 9/11.
"I was in an airplane circling the Pentagon a few minutes before it was struck by another airplane and I have those images in my mind that will never go away," said (Ret.) Maj. Gen. Robert Mixon, Warrior Salute Program.
This year's run received more than 50 runners, the hope is to grow the race for the second year.
The national Tunnel to Towers Run will take place in New York City on September 30.
