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Bombings, Record Registration Mean Heightened Security For 'Tunnel To Towers' Run

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The bombings in Chelsea and Seaside Park have led to an increase in terror fears, which means more security will be on hand for Sunday's 'Tunnel To Towers' race.

Tunnel To Towers Guide: Race Schedule, Registration

The rave honors firefighter Stephen Siller who died on 9/11 after running through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel to get to the World Trade Center.

As CBS2's Alex Denis reported, more than 25,000 people have already registered to participate in this year's Tunnel To Towers 5K Run and Walk.

It's a number that event founder Frank Siller -- Stephen's brother -- called remarkable.

"We are ahead in registration than we were at this time last year, and it goes up every year," he said.

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Record attendance means a heightened security presence. Especially after bombings rocked Chelsea and Seaside Park over the weekend.

"I'd rather not say what the exact security plan is, but I will say if you've done the run before, you know all the choke points, and everything that we do and all the security measures that we have," a police official said.

This year, even more police will be positioned along the route.

Runners have been urged to arrive early, and prepare for a series of checkpoints on the way to the starting line.

Book bags will not be allowed, and officers will regularly inspect trash cans in the area.

There's also an invite for runners who planned on participating in the canceled Marine Corps charity run in Seaside Park.

"We've said come on Seaside. Come join us. And they have, in droves. This is another sign that people don't roll over. This is America, home of the free because of the brave," Siller said.

You can watch the Tunnel To Towers 5K on CBS2 Sunday at 10:30 a.m.

For more information or to sign up for the race, click here.

You can also sign up the day of the run at the start of the event in Brooklyn.

 

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