AMHERST – Since 2002, a memorial road race in New York City has followed the same route taken by off-duty firefighter Stephen Siller who died after rushing to the site of the World Trade Center during the 2001 terrorist attacks.
The Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers race annually pays tribute to the firefighter who arrived in lower Manhattan from the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel to assist his colleagues.
For Jeanne Ryan of Amherst, one of more than 25,000 people who participated in last year’s run and a self-described “9/11 New Yorker,” it is important to hold additional events to supplement the original race.
She is among organizers bringing this 5 kilometer walk and run race to Amherst, which will be one of more than 25 places to hold the memorial event.
“We just wanted to provide a place for people to acknowledge the 15th anniversary of 9/11,” said Ryan, whose son is an emergency service technician and aspiring New York City firefighter.
The road race will start at the Sylvan residential area of the University of Massachusetts campus, off Eastman Lane, at 9:59 a.m. Sept. 11. That is the exact time the first tower fell, she said.
The race will end at the North Fire Station on East Pleasant Street, where a bagpiper will play, an American flag will be flying at half-staff, and awards will be handed out during a ceremony hosted by state Rep. Ellen Story.
Also at this ceremony, Mason Neveu, a youth who last spring was recognized by the Department of Fire Services Public Safety Unit, the Massachusetts House of Representatives and the Goshen Fire Department for his role in helping rescue a lost child in the woods of Ashfield, will again be honored.
Ryan said Mason was selected to be honored as a way to encourage and celebrate young heroes.
She expects many area firefighters to participate in the race, including some who will run or walk in full gear, just like Siller did the day he died.
Proceeds from the runs, with others being held throughout September and October, will benefit a program that will build “smart homes” for catastrophically injured service members.
But Ryan said people do not have to solicit funds to participate, and can choose only to pay the race fee.
To register for the race, visit T2TRUN.org or go to Eastman Lane between 8 and 9 a.m. on the day of the race.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com
