Steve's Run

🏃‍♂️ Steve's Run

July 17, 2026 | 6:00 p.m. | Downtown Dowagiac

Join us in the fight against cancer!

• Impact: In the last 16 years alone, Steve's Run has raised over $180,000 for cancer research and student scholarships (split evenly).
• Tradition: The 52nd running of the original Road and Trail Race, known as Steve's Run since 1992
• Route: Participants will travel through paved roads of Dowagiac, a golf course, a cemetery, and the Southwestern Michigan College wooded trails.
• Purpose: Raise money for these important causes.

🌟 About Steve's Run

Steve's Run is named in honor of Steven Briegel, the son of former Southwestern Michigan College president David Briegel. Steve died in 1990 at the age of 22 after a five-and-a-half-year battle with cancer. He was a 1986 graduate of Dowagiac Union High School and had played basketball, golf, and in the band for the Chieftains. He graduated with honors from SMC and was a junior in the Ferris at SMC program at the time of his death.

After Steve's passing, SMC's annual Road and Trail Race, which began in 1972, was renamed Steve's Run and was dedicated to honor all who have fought or are still fighting cancer, with proceeds being split evenly between cancer research and the Steven Briegel Scholarship.

SMC continues to host Steve's Run yearly with the support of the City of Dowagiac and through generous donations from community partners.

🛑 Fire Up Course Signs

Honor your loved one by purchasing a "Fire Up" course sign. This custom yard sign will be placed along the 5k course (10k course will follow this path as well) to remind runners of the people that have been impacted by cancer. Proceeds from the signs will be donated to cancer research. Head to the navigation bar at the top and click "Store".

👕 T-shirts

T-shirts are available through race registration, and specific sizes are available while supplies last.

🎽 Packet Pickup

Late registration and packet pickup will be open at the following times:

• Date: July 16 | Time: 5-6:30 p.m. | Location: Charles O. Zollar Building at Southwestern Michigan College
• Date: July 17 (Race Day) | Time: 4-5:30 p.m. | Location: Dowagiac Train Depot, Dowagiac, MI 49047

Please note that registration on race day will be open until the race start time. However, we encourage all participants to pick up their packets before 5:30 p.m., if possible.

📝 Registration

Early Registration: March 27, 2026–May 24, 2026

• 5K Run/Walk: $25
• 10K Run: $30
• Family Fun Run: $1

Regular Registration: May 25, 2026–July 15, 2026

• 5K Run/Walk: $30
• 10K Run: $35
• Family Fun Run: $1

Late Registration: July 16, 2026 and Race Day

• 5K Run/Walk: $40
• 10K Run: $40
• Family Fun Run: $1

🏆 Awards

We will be awarding medals to the overall men and women winners in each the 5k and 10k as well as the top three male and top three female runners in each of the following groups:

• 14 & under
• 15-19
• 20-29
• 30-39
• 40-49
• 50-59
• 60-69
• 70+

For more information, visit Steve's Run.