Joseph Jones Will Run Tunnel to Towers Race
The Buffalo resident will honor his late father during the NYC race on September 26-27, 2026.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Running
Joseph Jones is set to participate in the upcoming Tunnel to Towers race in New York City, marking his third year running the route. He honors the memory of his father, Art Jones, who was among the 2,700 people killed in the September 11, 2001, World Trade Center attacks.
Why it matters
The annual event commemorates firefighter Stephen Siller and maintains the 25-year-long effort of families to preserve the legacy of those lost. For the Jones family, this commitment continues through community initiatives like the AJJ Scholarship Fund.
This annual event features thousands of participants, including firefighters running in gear weighing up to 60 pounds. The race traces a route from the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel to the World Trade Center site.
The players
Joseph Jones
The fourth child of Art Jones who resides in Buffalo and runs to honor his father.
Art Jones
A former commodities trader who worked on the 92nd floor of the South Tower.
Stephen Siller
A firefighter whose memory is commemorated by the Tunnel to Towers race.
The details
The course physically retraces the path taken by responders during the 2001 emergency. Firefighters often undertake the run while wearing full protective turnout gear, which can add up to 60 pounds to their load, representing the physical demands faced by first responders that day. Art Jones, who worked on the 92nd floor of the South Tower, is the central motivation for his son's participation in the event.
Timeline
September 11, 2001: Art Jones died in the World Trade Center attacks.
September 26-27, 2026: Joseph Jones participates in the Tunnel to Towers race.
Health Landscape
The Tunnel to Towers race sits within a broader landscape of athletic events dedicated to long-term commemorative health and community legacy. These events honor victims of the September 11, 2001, World Trade Center attacks through physical challenge and local fundraising.
Readers interested in participating in high-intensity commemorative races should assess their own physical conditioning for long-distance runs. It is worth discussing your training regimen and physical readiness with your doctor before attempting endurance events.
The takeaway
The race underscores the importance of physical movement as a tool for personal healing and public remembrance. For those managing their own wellness through athletics, tracking progress year-over-year can be a helpful way to maintain motivation and health goals.
Further reading
Explore more training and event updates in our Running section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WKBW.
