Massive turnout for Tunnel to Towers run 

During the pouring rains of the nor’easter on Friday, Sept. 27, reportedly more than 40,000 participants took part in the 25th annual Tunnel to Towers 5K Run and Walk. They trekked through the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel (formerly known as the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel), following in the final footsteps of FDNY firefighter Stephen Siller. The run ended on West Street in Manhattan.

This event, hosted by the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, memorializes the 343 firefighters, police officers and civilians who perished on Sept. 11, 2001. Among the runners was Kathy Ioannou, from Dyker Heights, who has run in several marathons, including New York City, Boston, Washington, D.C., and London. She is also a member of the NYPD Runners’ Club.

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New York City’s 82nd annual Columbus Day Parade will take place on Monday, Oct. 12 at 11:30 a.m. along Fifth Avenue from 42nd Street to 72nd Street. Raymond T. Dalio, founder and mentor of Bridgewater Associates, has been named the grand marshal. However, the parade committee has announced his son, Matt Dalio, will represent his father at theparade. Matt Dalio is the founder and CEO of Endless Studios.

 This parade, which is sponsored by the Columbus Citizens Foundation, is one of the largest celebrations of Italian-American heritage in the nation. Last year’s parade was cancelled due to a Nor’easter when Gov. Kathy Hochul declared  a state of emergency. As in past Columbus Day parades, many Brooklynites will be participating.

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Congratulations to Valerie Vislocky, who was recently promoted from deputy center manager of the Fort Hamilton Senior Recreation Center, at 9941 Fort Hamilton Parkway, to center manager. The center, under the shadow of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, is operated by the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation.

Also, kudos to Bay Ridgeite Carlo Scissura, the president and CEO of the New York Building Congress, who was among 42 honorees at the recent Hall of Fame 20th anniversary dinner for the political savvy City & State New York magazine.