Towers run remembers 9/11 victim

The USO of North Carolina is partnering with the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation by sponsoring a 5k Run/Walk on the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

Stephen Siller’s family and friends annually host a 5k run/walk in September that retraces his footsteps, starting in Brooklyn, N.Y. and ending at ground zero. Siller, an off-duty Brooklyn firefighter, ran through Battery Tunnel with his gear to join his squad and was last seen near the towers. This year, the run is being replicated in towns and cities across America in honor of all first responders and the men and women who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The proceeds raised during the Jacksonville Tunnel to Towers Run will be used to support and assist military and their families through the USO of North Carolina, Jacksonville Center along with first responders through the Stephen Siller Foundation, according to a USO release.

Interested volunteers or sponsors should contact the USO at 910-455-3411.

For individual and team registration, visit tunneltotowersrun.org/jacksonville.aspx. Deadline for registration is Thursday Sept. 8. The cost is $25 per participant. Race day registration is $30 per participant.

The race will be run Saturday Sept. 10 starting at the USO Jacksonville, located at 9 Tallman St. in downtown Jacksonville, beginning at 7:30 a.m.