Fallen Soldiers 5K Run/Walk | October 4, 2025

Fallen Soldiers 5K Logo

2025 Fallen Soldiers 5K: Saturday, October 4

Registration and Details

REGISTER ONLINE FOR THE FALLEN SOLDIERS 5K

  • $10: WIU student Race Fee
  • $30: Regular Race (5k and 1 mile) Fee
  • $40: Virtual Race Fee

Register on or before September 15 to guarantee a shirt!

Schedule

Packet Pick-Up

  • Friday, October 3rd 11:00AM-6:00PM: Packet pickup & open registration available at Spencer Student Recreation Center, Keeney Room.
  • Saturday, October 4th 7:00AM - 8:30AM: Outside the Spencer Student Recreation Center, Mac Gym entrance (south side of the building)

Saturday, October 4th, 2025 | Race Day

  • 7:00 - 8:15 AM: Packet pick-up and late registration, outside the Spencer Student Recreation Center, Mac Gym entrance (south side of the building)
  • 8:30 AM: Opening Ceremony Begins, SRC Mac Gym
  • 9:00 AM: Race Starts
Route Map

Route Map (PDF)
Route Map

About

Each year, Western Illinois University hosts the Fallen Soldiers 5K to raise money for the WIU Fallen Soldiers Scholarship Fund, which supports veterans and service members currently enrolled at Western. Before the race, a special program is held to honor our Fallen Soldiers for whom the scholarship was established and recognize the current scholarship recipients. This race typically brings in 400 - 500 participants to WIU's campus that come together to support this wonderful cause.

Can't attend this year's event? Consider donating directly to the Fallen Soldiers Scholarship Fund.

Donate Now

Purchase Fallen Soldiers 5K apparel here:

FS5K Store

Contact

Fallen Soldiers 5K Committee | fallensoldiers5k@wiu.edu

Sponsors

Proceeds from the Fallen Soldiers 5K go directly to the Fallen Soldiers Sponsorship Fund. Businesses, organizations, and individuals can have a substantial impact on the scholarship fund by underwriting costs associated with the 5K. View available sponsorship opportunities and secure your spot as a Fallen Soldiers 5K sponsor.

Fallen Soldiers

The event is designed as a fundraiser for the Fallen Soldier's Scholarship Fund in honor of two WIU alumni who were killed in the line of duty. Capt. Derek Dobogai and Lt. Col. Robert Baldwin.

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.

Capt. Derek Dobogai

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 Navy SEALs crashed during combat operations in the Zabul province of Afghanistan.

Lt. Col. Robert Baldwin