University News

Fallen Soldiers 5K Fun Run/Walk/One-Mile Walk Oct. 22

October 14, 2016

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MACOMB, IL -- In approximately one week, runners and walkers will take over the Western Illinois University campus to honor two alumni .... and many other veterans ... who died in the line of duty.

While the early registration date for WIU's fifth Fallen Soldiers 5k Run/Walk has passed, entries are still being accepted for the event, which will be held Saturday, Oct. 22 at the WIU-Macomb campus. This year's event will have a new option for those wishing to walk a bit less than 3.1 miles: a one-mile walk (untimed).

For those who register in advance of Oct. 22, packets should be picked up between 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21 in the WIU Spencer Student Recreation Center. On race day, check-in and late registration will be held from 7-8:15 a.m. in the Rec Center. The event begins at 8:30 a.m. with an opening ceremony, followed by the race (rain or shine) at 9 a.m.

Since the event's inception in 2012, more than $75,000 has been raised for the scholarship, which honors WIU alumni Capt. Derek Dobogai and Lt. Col. Robert Baldwin, who were both killed in the line of duty. Dobogai, who graduated from Western in 2003 with a bachelor's degree in law enforcement and justice administration, was among the 14 U.S. soldiers aboard a Black Hawk helicopter that crashed Aug. 22, 2007, in northern Iraq. Baldwin, who earned a bachelor's degree in industrial technology from WIU in 1993, was killed Sept. 21, 2010, when his Blackhawk UH-60 helicopter carrying international troops crashed during combat operations in the Zabul province of Afghanistan.

Race registration, which continues through race day, is $35 (participants are not guaranteed a t-shirt or medal). Hy-Vee will provide post-race granola bars and fruit, while Refreshment Services Pepsi of Macomb will provide water and Prairie Farms will provide post-race milk.

For more information or to register, visit wiu.edu/fallensoldiers or email fallensoldiers5k@wiu.edu.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing