Hundreds climb 41 stories to honor first responders

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Hundreds of people pushed themselves to the limit Saturday morning as they experienced a strenuous day in the life of a first responder.

They ran up 41 stories at One Tampa City Center for the Tunnel to Towers Tampa Tower Climb.

The event was created in memory of Stephen Siller, a New York City firefighter to sacrificed his own life to save others on September 11th.  It also honors other first responders and members of the military.

Of the 250 climbers, 75 of them were first responders, wearing full gear, which can weigh nearly 65 pounds.

"It's really amazing to get an inside look, or sneak peek, at what they do on a day-to-day basis and the risks they take everyday for our community and our country, said Race Director Dustin Miller.  "You know we're just everyday Americans, and we're in there huffing and puffing in the stairwell and that's what they do all the time and they've got that full gear on."

The foundation raises money to build custom adapted smart homes for multiple-amputee veterans. It also pays off mortgages for families of first responders and military members killed in the line of duty.

You can find more information at: www.tunnel2towers.org