Hearts for Our Hospital Bicycle Challenge

Celebrate what makes running fun — high-fives, endorphins, good friends.

Come hang with Fleet Feet-The Villages, FL to celebrate Global Running Day, run or walk, a breezy 3.1 miles and make "The Big Run" an epic party.

The mission of Fleet Feet is to inspire the runner in everyone.

Let's celebrate Global Running this year by giving generously to empower athletes with intellectual disabilities of all ages and abilities!

Instead of a race fee, we are encouraging our local running community to give generously this year to The 1% Better Chris Nikic Foundation.

This foundation "aims to make physical fitness accessible and achievable for all people with intellectual disabilities." Read more about the foundation here.

Here are details:

• Open to walk, run, or any combination

• Bring the whole family

• Dress for the weather and sunscreen it up

• The 5K is the kickoff to the Global Running celebration

• Giveaways

See ya there!

11th Annual Hearts for our Hospital Bicycle Challenge

Saturday 07 November 2026

UF Health Spanish Plaines Hospital Foundation presents the

11th Annual Hearts for Our Hospital

Saturday is chock full of fun with The Hearts for Our Hospital Bicycle Challenge: 5 route options, plenty of well-stocked rest stops, and lunch and entertainment waiting at the ride finish.

All of this staged from the Savannah Center, 1545 N. Buena Vista Boulevard, in The Villages.

Not enough for you? We also offer free nightly entertainment at each of our beautiful Town Squares!

Participants in the Bicycle Challenge must be at least 12 years of age on the date of the event.

👪 BENEFITTING:

Pedaling the Distance In Support of UF Health Spanish Plaines Hospital Foundation

The Hearts for Our Hospital Bicycle Challenge is a partnership between UF Health Spanish Plaines Hospital Auxiliary Foundation ("Foundation") and the Sumter Landing Bicycle Club.

As a proud community partner and presenting sponsor of the event, UnitedHealthcare is helping to spearhead the way. The bicycle challenge has become a signature event providing an opportunity for the Foundation - a 501(c)(3) organization - to support their mission of making a difference in the lives of the individuals and communities in which they serve by raising awareness of the programs and services provided by YOUR UF Health Spanish Plaines Hospital. The Foundation works closely with UF Health Spanish Plaines Hospital to prioritize the spending of funds raised.

As such, monies raised through the Hearts for Our Hospital Bicycle Challenge are used in the acquisition of capital equipment, as well as the delivery of medical education scholarships for students pursuing a certification, associate’s, bachelor’s or master’s degree at the post-secondary level in the medical and allied health care fields. These scholarships are in the amount of $2,000 per student and renewable up to four years, based on the student’s degree program, assuming the student maintains an acceptable level of academic performance and meets eligibility criteria.

Look for the LifeSouth Blood Mobile at the event! While cyclists are on the road, friends and family and spectators can make a life-saving difference. One donation saves up to three lives and stays local, benefiting UF Health (Spanish Plaines and Leesburg), The Villages EMS, and Shands Hospital.

🗺️ ROUTE INFORMATION

There are FIVE different route distances to choose from, to accommodate cyclists of all different skill levels!

• 🟨 75-miles | YELLOW | Three Quarter Century

• 🟧 63-miles | ORANGE | Metric Century

• 🟩 33-miles | GREEN | Half Metric Century

• 🟪 20-miles | PURPLE | Quarter Century

• 🟦 10-miles | BLUE | Fun Ride

👕 REGISTRATION INCLUDES:

• Commemorative Hearts for Our Hospital Bicycle Challenge event t-shirt

• Personalized number bibs (see cutoff date below)

• Event packet home delivery (see cutoff date below)

• Includes t-shirts, number bib, safety pins, printed route map and cue sheet.

• Post-event lunch

• Fully stocked rest stops

• On-course mobile support

• Route markings

📆 IMPORTANT DATES

• 20 Sep 2026: 👕Last day to guarantee shirt style and size

• 11 Oct 2026: 🔢Last day to Personalize Your Number Bib

• 25 Oct 2026: 📫Last day for guaranteed Event Packet Home Delivery

‼️ IMPORTANT! T-Shirt inventory is limited. ‼️

Register early to guarantee your commemorative event t-shirt and preferred size before they are gone!

❗There is a chance that Late registrations MAY NOT receive a shirt or a shirt in their preferred style or size if there is a higher-than-expected number of participants.

❗ Shirt quantities, styles and sizes are subject to availability after cutoff date above.

❗Register EARLY (by the guaranteed shirt cutoff date listed above) to receive your preferred style and size before the shirts are gone.

What is a Tunnel To Towers Run & Walk?

The Tunnel to Towers Run & Walk Series was created to honor the heroic life and death of Stephen Siller, a New York City firefighter (FDNY) who lost his life on September 11, 2001 after strapping on his gear and running through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel to the Twin Towers. Honor all of those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001 and support our first responders and military who make extraordinary sacrifices in the line of duty! For more information on the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation please visit www.t2t.org

This will be the third The Villages T2T 5K and we are excited to once again bring together the community to honor first responders, remember 9/11, and raise funds for the Tunnel to Towers programs.

How far is a Tunnel to Towers Run & Walk?

This is a 5K (approximately 3.1 miles) to walk or run this event. Anyone can run, walk, or experience this event.

Where can I pick up my packet?

Packet Pick up will be at TBD Villages Recreation Center on Friday, November 7th 10:00am to 7 p.m. or between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. on the morning of the race

Can I register the day of the run?

Yes. Registration will open at 8:00 a.m. the morning of the run. If you wait to register, we may not have a shirt for you and we do not guarantee sizes for late registrants but we will do our best!

When does online registration close?

Online registration will remain open until race day registration is closed. If you register after packet pick-up, you may not receive your t-shirt and any other race day swag.

Do I have to wear my bib number?

Yes, please display your bib on the front of your outermost garment. Those who run without a bib will be asked to leave the course and will not be allowed to finish.

I am a fast runner. Can I get a front-line position?

Runners predicting a pace faster than 6 minutes/mile will be seeded in the front of the runners (arrive early).

Will there be awards for running?

Yes, we keep them very simple since our mission is to honor first responders, most of our awards are based on firefighters, police or military running in gear in the same fashion that Stephen Siller did on 9/11. This event is intended to be an experience and much more than a run.

Will water be available?

Yes, three water stations will be available along the route and there will be water available at the start/finish line.

What can you bring to the event? Can I run with a stroller, backpack, wheelchair, roller blades, bicycle, etc.?

Strollers and wheelchairs are permitted. Firefighter turnout gear and military backpacks are also permitted. Please do not leave any personal items visible in your vehicle. All items should be stored securely at the owner's risk. Tunnel to Towers Foundation will not be responsible for the loss of any items.

Does my registration fee count towards my fundraising goal?

Your registration fee does not count toward the fundraising goal.

Can someone else pick up my packet for me?

Yes, they can. They must present a copy of your registration receipt. And don't forget to thank them!

Can I still donate to a team and/or individual after the start of the race?

Yes. Donations will be accepted for 6 weeks after the event.

How can my company/organization sponsor this event?

Please send all sponsorship correspondence to [email protected] with your contact information and someone will be in touch with you within 24 hours.

I would like to donate goods or services to this event. How do I do that?

You can contact us at [email protected] We make every effort to keep costs down to allow us to give the most to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation in Stephen Siller's name. Your generosity will be greatly appreciated.

As a participant, can I fundraise/encourage others to donate?

Yes! Once you are registered, you will be given directions to start your own fundraising page and you will be able to accept donations online. Do you want to donate cash/money? We can help you with that. Contact us at [email protected] and we can walk you through the process or you can send donations directly to ATTN: Rori Englert - 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306 - please give us your information so we can add it to your fundraising page.

Where can I mail an OFFLINE donation (check made payable to Tunnel to Towers Foundation)?

Please mail any offline donations to:

Tunnel to Towers Foundation

ATTN: Rori Englert

2361 Hylan Blvd.

Staten Island, NY 10306

Can I transfer my registration to another participant?

Yes. See information above OR contact us at [email protected] so we can change it in our system.

Can I get a refund?

We do not provide refunds for the event regardless if you cannot make the date or the foundation needs to cancel the event for extenuating circumstances. Registration may be transferred to another person.

How can I volunteer?

It's simple! Email us at [email protected] and we will reply within 24 hours. Volunteers are always needed for the day of festivities. Thank you!

Do registrants get receipts?

When you register online you should automatically receive a receipt. If paying by credit card or check that is your receipt. If paying in cash, receipt upon request.

Is there a medical staff available on-site?

Yes, there will be an Emergency Medical Service team available on site. There is also radio communication available on the course to help communicate with the EMS.

Does Tunnel to Towers offer fundraising incentives?

Yes, we offer fundraising incentives each year; check out our latest in our Fundraising Guide. To qualify, complete your fundraising by June 30, 2024 for winter and spring events, or October 10, 2024 for summer and fall events