DOWAGIAC – The 36th running of “The Original Road and Trail Race,” aka Steve’s Run, is set for a 9 a.m. start on July 31 in downtown Dowagiac.

More than 1,000 participants are expected to compete in the 10K run, 5K run and 5K walk. A 1K fun run is also scheduled at 9:03 a.m.

The start of the run begins in historic downtown Dowagiac and ends in Lion’s Park. The event is in conjunction with the Dowagiac’s Summer in the City.

In addition, the race is a preseason training experience for high school cross country teams from Michigan and Indiana. There is a reduced entry fee for team members with the coach running free.

All Steve’s Run finishers will receive a T-shirt and more than 200 stained glass awards will be given to the top finishers in each age group. This year, Steve’s Run Nike hooded sweat tops and Steve’s Run Lands’ End polo shirts will be awarded to participants who raise $100 or more in pledges.

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.

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