Steve's Run
- Date
- July 17, 2026
- Location
- Downtown Dowagiac, Dowagiac, MI
- Distance
- 5K Run/Walk · 10K Run · Family Fun Run
From the Organizer
Steve's Run
July 17, 2026 | 6:00 p.m. | Downtown Dowagiac
Join us in the fight against cancer!
In the last 16 years alone, Steve's Run has raised over $180,000 for cancer research and student scholarships (split evenly).
To continue the tradition, the 52nd running of the original Road and Trail Race, known as Steve's Run since 1992, will start and end in Downtown Dowagiac. Steve's Run will take participants through the paved roads of Dowagiac, a golf course, a cemetery, and the Southwestern Michigan College wooded trails.
We hope you'll join us to 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:
- July 16 | 5-6:30 p.m. | Charles O. Zollar Building at Southwestern Michigan College
- July 17 (Race Day) | 4-5:30 p.m. | 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+
Events
Weather
Typical Conditions
It's too far out for a forecast, so here's what weather on this date is normally like in the area. A race day forecast will replace this as race week approaches.
Typical High
82°
Typical Low
60°
Chance of Rain
30%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Dowagiac 1 W, 1 mi from the venue.
Host City
About Dowagiac, MI
Population
5,677
as of 2023
Elevation
751 ft
Nearest Airport
SBN
South Bend International Airport · 22 mi
Major Hub
GRR
Gerald R. Ford International Airport · 69 mi
Time Zone
Eastern Time
From Endurance Grid
A small town race. Lodging near the start could be limited, so book early.
Race Location
Your Next Start Line
What Are You
Waiting For?
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at Steve's Run, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
Coming Up
More Running races near Dowagiac, MI
2026 Hartford Strawberry Run
15 miles away
4 on the 4th
9 miles away
Gene Bednarowski Memorial and Cherry Run
16 miles away
Watermelon Run
15 miles away
From Endurance Grid
About This Sport
Endurance Grid is here to help you understand the sport, decide if it's the right fit, and learn how to prepare. For course distances, logistics, and race-day specifics, always defer to the race organizer's event page.
With running, there's a distance for every fitness level, a community at every start line, and nothing beats the feeling of crossing a finish line you trained for.
Running is an endurance sport that rewards consistency, and showing up every week compounds in ways that will surprise you.
Running
From 5K to marathon, running races are the most accessible entry point into endurance sport. There's a distance for every fitness level and a community at every start line.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the Steve's Run?
- Steve's Run is a running race held in Dowagiac, Michigan on July 17, 2026. It is one of the many endurance events listed on Endurance Grid, a multi-sport endurance event calendar covering running races, triathlons, HYROX, and more endurance sports across the United States. Find more running races near you or explore our sports guides to learn what race day actually feels like.
- When and where is the Steve's Run?
- Friday, July 17, 2026 in Dowagiac, Michigan at Downtown Dowagiac, Dowagiac, MI. Check the event page for exact start times and wave schedules.
- How do I register for the Steve's Run?
- Registration is handled through the event's registration page. Confirm pricing and distances there, and sign up.
Steve's Run
Jul 17, 2026