University News

Captain Dobogai's mother, Lisa, fires the cannon to start the 2012 race.
[Download Print-Quality Image]

Fallen Soldiers 5K Oct. 14

September 19, 2017

Share |
Printer friendly version

MACOMB, IL -- What started out five years ago as a local race designed to honor Western Illinois University alumni who were killed in the line of duty, while raising funds for a WIU scholarship, has grown into one of the largest foot races in McDonough County.

The Fallen Soldiers 5K Run/Walk began in November 2012 to recognize two WIU alumni Capt. Derek Dobogai and LTC Robert Baldwin, and to raise additional dollars for the Fallen Soldiers Scholarships at WIU. That first year, nearly 300 runners and walkers took part on Veterans Day, raising more than $10,000 for the scholarship. Today, the run boasts close to 600 participants and more than $80,000 has been raised for the scholarship.

The 2017 Fallen Soldiers 5K will be held Saturday, Oct. 14. A brief program, including a salute to Dobogai and Baldwin, brief remarks by University officials, and the playing of Taps, will begin at 8:30 a.m. in the Spencer Student Recreation Center MAC (South) Gym. The race will begin at 9 a.m. in front of Western Hall.

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 a Blackhawk UH-60 helicopter carrying international troops crashed during combat operations in the Zabul province of Afghanistan.

Race registration is $25 (until Sept. 25), which includes a moisture wicking t-shirt bearing the race logo and a finisher medal. After Sept. 25, registration is $35 (participants are not guaranteed a t-shirt or medal). Student registration is $20. For a $100 donation, Honor a Vet Sponsors may honor a friend or family member who has served or is currently serving in the military. Every honoree will have his/her name, rank, and military branch listed on an individual sign, which will be placed along "Veterans Row."

For more information, to register and/or to become a race sponsor, visit wiu.edu/vpas/wellness/event.php?id=563or email fallensoldiers5k@wiu.edu.

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