A WEEKEND of challenge events is returning to Cardiff Bay, with a new addition.

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service’s Super September Weekend is taking place next weekend, and this year includes Wales’ first ever Tower to Tunnels 5K.

The Tower to Tunnels challenge will take place on Sunday, September 30.

It originated in New York in 2002, honouring firefighter, Stephen Siller, who died saving people during the attack on the Twin Towers, and raising funds for the Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

Funds raised through this event will go towards the Foundation, along with The Fire Fighters Charity.

Tunnel to Towers 5K Wales will follow a route from the Roald Dahl Plass to the Cardiff Barrage and back.

“As a team it will be a privilege and an honour to see the race run in Wales and to play even a small part in sharing its message,” said Firefighter, Kevin Summerhayes, who has been instrumental in bringing the race to Wales.

“The sheer selflessness demonstrated that day by emergency service personnel, such as Stephen Siller, should never be forgotten and this is a way for us all to show our appreciation for the dedication of the Services who are there for us whenever and wherever we need them.”

The Tower to Tunnels 5K is sponsored by Fordthorne and Volvo Cars Cardiff.

Managing Director of Fordthorne and Volvo Cars Cardiff, Roger Pugsley, added: “We’re delighted and honoured to have been asked to support such a prestigious and meaningful event.

“Learning about the charity’s background was very humbling so we’re extremely proud to be involved.”

This is just one event included in an enormous line-up of activities for the United Kingdom Rescue Organisation (UKRO) Caerdydd Challenge.

More than 600 firefighters will compete for national titles and trophies, in staged rope rescues, water rescues, vehicle rescues and urban search and rescue contests.

The weekend will include plenty of family fun, in and aroundthe Roald Dahl Plass.

Multiple partners at the event include: South Wales Police, Welsh Ambulance Service, members of Water Safety Wales, Techniquest and Sport.

Visitors can enjoy Virtual Reality driving simulators, walk-in hockey, police dog demonstrations, Techniquest workshops, choirs, dances, theatre, and a display by the Red Devils Parachute Regiment Freefall Team.

On Friday and Saturday, until 2pm, a range of kid’s activities will be hosted at Wales Millennium Centre.

This includes: ‘Mud and Sparks’ which is a chance to learn more about fire and fire behaviours around an indoor campfire, and giant Snakes and Flames board games.

Free workshops will look at the elements, including Air Powered Boat Races exploring water safety, seed balls looking at environmental awareness,s and pyro writing exploring the safe use of fire.

Free workshops will look at the elements, including seed balls looking at environmental awareness and pyro writing exploring the safe use of fire, provided by educational community company EggSeeds. 

There will also be a special bubble bike exploring the physics of air flow by Peddle Emporium and in partnership between the two; Air Powered Duck Races exploring water safety.

All activities (other than the charitable 5K) are free, taking place between 10am and 5pm.

People have until September 26 to register for the Tunnel to Towers Wales 5K and can do so at: www.tunnel2towerswales.com