The Southwestern Michigan College Board of Trustees accepted a $7,000 gift from Fifth-Third Bank in support of the college’s annual race, “Steve’s Run.”  This year’s race will be held on Saturday, July 31.

“We are very grateful to have the support of Fifth-Third Bank,” said SMC President Dr. David Mathews. “Having the support of local organizations like Fifth-Third Bank make this event an even bigger success. Their generous contribution allows us to give even more money to cancer research and education.”

“My emotions run high when I hand out the awards to race winners who are cancer survivors,” said Robert Basselman, vice president of Fifth-Third Band Public Funds. “It’s amazing to learn about the challenges people have overcome when it comes to battling cancer. We as a local business feel privileged to be a part of such a great event.”

Steve’s Run is a special run/walk which is held on the original Road ‘n Trail course that starts and finishes in downtown Dowagiac. This year, the event will again be conducted in conjunction with the Dowagiac Summer in the City event.

The 36th running of this race is set for a 9 a.m. start in downtown Dowagiac.

Entry information and online registration can be found at www.swmich.edu/fireup/stevesrun or by calling Southwestern Michigan College at 782-1209 or e-mail Ron Gunn at rgunn@swmich.edu.

The Original Road and Trail Race was renamed “Steve’s Run” in memory of Steven Briegel, a Southwestern Michigan College honors graduate who lost his fight against cancer in 1990. All funds raised, including 100 percent of the pledge monies, are donated to SMC’s Steven Briegel Scholarship Fund and the Mayo Clinic Cancer Research Fund.