SHAMOKIN - Members of the Nothumberland County Tunnel to Towers Team will hold their second annual Tunnel to Towers Race at 10 a.m. Saturday. All proceeds benefit the team, which will again travel to New York City on Sept. 29 to participate in the annual Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers, named after a firefighter killed in the terrorist attacks in 2001.
People can register the day of the race between 8 and 9:45 a.m. at Claude Kehler Community Park on Arch Street. The cost of registration is $25. People not involved in the race are welcomed to cheer on walkers and runners.
This year's race will follow a different path than the inaugural race in 2012, which started at the tunnel at Badman's Hill in Weigh Scales and continued toward Shamokin via Route 61. Saturday's race will remain within the city limits, starting and ending at Claude Kehler Community Park.
Runners will travel to Third Street to Walnut Street, Walnut Street to Sixth Street, Sixth Street to Independence Street, Independence Street to Shamokin Street, Shamokin Street to Pine Street, Pine Street to Rock Street, Rock Street to a foot bridge near the community pool to Lincoln Street, Lincoln Street to Market Street, up and down Market Street to Arch Street and back to the park.
Race organizer Joe Alexander said he requested fire police, city police and fire department to provide traffic control at 18 intersections.
The change in course, he said, was primarily due to construction work near the Brewery Curve in Coal Township. Last year's cost to hire Flagger Force was more than $800, which also led organizers to consider alternate race routes.
Prizes will be awarded to the top overall male and female finisher, and to top three males and females in each age group: 14 and under, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59,60-69, and 70 and over. Fresh fruit and beverages will be available at the finish line. A chicken BBQ will be available for $9 starting at 11 a.m.
Contact Alexander 644-1499 or Craig Rhoades 644-1926 for more information.