The Tunnel to Towers Foundation began in honor of Stephen Siller, a FDNY firefighter whose motto was “while we have time, let us do good." Siller was coming off shift the morning of September 11th, 2001 when he heard the beginnings of a tragedy come out over the scanner in his truck. The North Tower of the World Trade Center had just been struck by a plane. Bound by his duty, Stephen called his wife and turned his truck around, racing back to his station to get his gear. By the time he had made it to the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, the route had been closed due to security purposes. Determined, Siller strapped his 60 pounds of gear to his back and raced on foot through the tunnel- a selfless act that ultimately led to him giving his life to save others during this devastating attack. Soon after, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation was established with the goal of supporting the heroes who continue to risk life and limb in the line of duty. From that tragic beginning T2T has grown into a powerful force, donating over $1 billion in support of our nation's heroes and their families through various programs that they have initiated. Some of these programs, like the Smart Home Program, provide mortgage-free homes to our most catastrophically injured veterans and first responders that are tailored to their specific needs. Others, like the Legacy of Love Award provide the necessary funding to assist children who have lost one or both parents with education and counseling services. While providing this support, the foundation has done a spectacular job ensuring that the donations it receives goes directly to impacting their mission, with 93% of the money raised going straight to the programs that they have built. This year will mark the 25th anniversary of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation's start, as well as the 25th anniversary of 9/11. T2T plans to provide 343 mortgage-free homes this year in honor of those 343 firefighters who died during the attack on the World Trade Center.
One way that the Tunnel to Towers Foundation raises money for these programs is through races, with over 500K participants in 80+ events across the nation. Today, I had the pleasure of sitting down and speaking with one of the coordinators of the T2T race in Clearwater, FL, Lieutenant Matthew Handwerk. Lieutenant Handwerk has been a first responder for over 25 years and has been a part of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation since early 2016, after working an Honor Guard event opening the T2T traveling museum at the Florida State Fairgrounds. While working the event, he learned a lot about the foundation, and his wife filled out a connect card to find a way to become more involved with their mission. 6 months later, they were on the phone with an organizer of the New York City races to see how they could set up a race down in the Clearwater area. September 11th, 2017 was their first race, and they have been going strong ever since. Handwerk's goal each year has been first and foremost to honor the fallen that the race represents, and increase the community's knowledge and understanding of the sacrifices that first responders have made to keep the community safe. With his dedication to honoring those that paved the way before him, Handwerk and his wife have doubled the community of T2T in Clearwater over the past 8 years, and hope to see record numbers turn out for this year's race.
The T2T 5K event is a Run/Walk race for all ages and skill levels, but it does not hold back, physically or emotionally. Even before beginning the race, runners are encouraged to take a badge of one of the 343 firefighters who died during 9/11 to help remind the racer who they are running for. The course is designed to test the limits of a racer's cardiovascular fitness, as a strong cardiovascular system is essential for first responders to perform their duties safely and effectively each day. The route has a large elevation disparity, beginning with a brutal climb that crests over the Clearwater Memorial Causeway before getting a reprieve, unlike most Florida races that cover a comparably flat landscape. Even more difficult, you will see many first responders running the race in their gear to honor Stephen Siller and his race through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel. Along the route, the runners will be able to pass through a memorial garden set up by the event coordinators that honor the many fallen heroes in the first responder and military community, and racers are encouraged to take some time to appreciate the gravity of this event. Over the years, this community has also used the race to promote awareness of situations inside the first responder community; one such notable time being a group of firefighters running with a 160 pound training dummy, representing the rise in suicide rates of first responders and the support that a crew wants to give to those that are struggling with that choice.
The Clearwater 5K is more than just a race; it is a moving demonstration of patriotism and support. Now, let’s go behind the scenes with Lt. Matthew Handwerk, the Clearwater 5K Run & Walk Coordinator, as he discusses his favorite parts of the T2T 5K, the foundation's latest achievements, and all the details for the January 31st event.
Personal:
Q: What is the most rewarding part of seeing the community come together for this cause?
A: Seeing the community get behind the missions that help bring attention to first responders and the current challenges they face, all while getting recognition for the job that they do. You will see almost every first responder receive at least 20 thank you's throughout the race, and that puts a smile on their face.
Q: What is the atmosphere like on race day and what makes the Clearwater 5K experience unique for participants?
A: The atmosphere is painted in reverence and excitement. From the check-in onward, we do everything to remember those that gave the ultimate sacrifice for us in the line of duty. We have a 9/11 ceremony prior to the race to honor those that were there, and we make sure that our appreciation is shown for those that are willing to go all the way to keep our community safe.
Q: What are the primary challenges and successes that you've experienced preparing for this year's event?
A: The primary challenge is logistics. We begin advertising this event 8 months prior to the race, but between 50-70 percent of our sign-ups occur within the last month. We have had to learn how to predict registration to be able to order the proper amount of shirts, water, bottles, even port-a-potties. We also have to take weather into account. In Florida, if you run in September it can still be over 90 degrees, and later then that begins hurricane season. This year will be our first year in January, but I'm expecting the cooler weather to increase the attendees.
T2T Achievements:
Q: Beyond the 5K, how else does the Tunnel to Towers Foundation raise money and awareness nationally throughout the year?
A: The T2T Foundation puts on many races and climbs nationally, but they also host golf tournaments, provide educational resources for students through their 9/11 Institute, and host a 9/11 NEVER FORGET mobile Exhibit.
Q: What other programs does the Tunnel for Towers Foundation have to help veterans, active military, and first responders?
A: They have the Smart Home Program, the Fallen First Responder Program, the Gold Star Family Home Program, Legacy of Love Awards, Wings of a Hero Awards, and the Homeless Veteran Program.
Q: What is the Homeless Veteran Program?
A: The Tunnel to Towers Foundation is working to end veteran homelessness nationwide and has currently provided housing assistance services to over 17000 veterans and their families. They are working on creating Veterans Villages that provide affordable apartment housing to veterans with comprehensive service centers.
Race:
Q: For someone who is new to the event, what should they know about the route, registration, and race-day logistics for January 31st?
A: To register, you can go to T2T.org and find the Clearwater 5K Run and Walk on January 31st 2026. You can sign up as an individual runner or a fundraiser/team. For example, Largo Fire Rescue has a team that individuals from the department can register to be on, and then the team donates the net amount that everyone has raised. Packet pickup day of the race goes from 7-8:30 am, with the 9/11 ceremony beginning at 8:30. The race begins at 9am which is later than most races (to give off coming firefighters the chance to get to the event when coming off duty) and the starting line is hard to miss, right under a ladder truck flying a large American flag. Then all you have to do is run the race.
Q: What can people do who would like to donate or be a sponsor for this event but are unable to run the race at this time?
A: People are able to donate a number of ways, either by going to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation website and clicking the donate button in the top right corner for a general donation, donating through the Tunnel to Towers Clearwater race link and attach that donation to a team or person, or even by donating a car or land for our missions through the website. For sponsorship, we are always looking for new sponsors but the deadline to be on the shirts has closed for the race this year. We would still love to see you out here this year and partner with you in the future, so come by and check out our event.
Q: Who are some of the key local and national sponsors that make the Clearwater T2T 5K possible?
A: Some of the key players that help make this event are GMC, The Home Depot, Fox News, and T-Mobile [national]; and the Pinellas County Professional Firefighters Association, Duke Energy, Raymond James, Assurant, and Denise Martin Photography [local]. Also, all of the photography for the race is free to download, with no fees associated so please check out the links to the race pictures post-race to find some good ones of you!
Closing:
Q: Is there any final message you would like to share with the Clearwater community and our readers ahead of the January 31st event?
A: Please come out and PARTICIPATE; show your patriotism, love, and support of our military, veterans, and first responders! We would love to hit 1000 people this year at the run and we really do believe in the missions that Tunnel to Towers has set forth; they do amazing work. Check out the Tunnel to Towers Foundation at www.t2t.org for more information on the different programs that they provide, where the nearest race is to you, and how you can become involved in this organization.
This really is a beautiful event that not only gets the community out and unified behind a worthy cause, but helps serve those who have served us. The best way to learn that is to participate so I hope to see you out there.