By Staff
CASSOPOLIS -- The Westgate Center, Cass COA and Cass County Sheriff's Office are teaming up to sponsor the 14th annual Fast Gait Run set for Saturday.
The run/walk will begin at 9 a.m. at the Cass County Fairgrounds and loops through scenic Cass County back roads and concludes back at the fairgrounds with an awards ceremony.
Trophies will be awarded to the top male and female runners in the race.
Each division winner will also receive an award.
Pre-registrants will receive a choice of an insulated lunch sack or hat.
A free raffle will be held for all event participants.
Events include an 8K run, a 5K run or walk and a one-mile fun walk. Fee for all events is $15 and is open to ages 7-to-70 plus.
Pre-registration packets are available by contacting Don Switzer at 445-3170.
Steve's Run
Southwestern Michigan College will host its 29th annual road and trail race, Steve's Run, on Saturday, July 26 at 9 a.m. (Michigan time).
Steve's Run gives elite runners and casual walkers the chance to compete in several different races in and around Dowagiac.
The race is held in memory of Steven Briegel, an SMC honors graduate who lost his fight against cancer in 1990. Briegel, an avid sports enthusiast, served as a student assistant at SMC's athletic events. 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.
All participants who are cancer survivors can wear a special T-shirt to recognize their courage and determination. Survivors will also be recognized at the awards ceremony.
Steve's Run has been previously voted one of the "Ten Great Vacation Races in the U.S." by Runner magazine, and was also named the "best race in Michigan" by Tom Henderson of The Michigan Runner.
New to Steve's Run this year is a Friday night registration option. On the day before the run -- Friday, July 25, runners may visit the train depot in Dowagiac from 5 to 8:30 p.m. (Michigan time) to register for the race.
Races and walks include a 10K and 5K race, a 5K competitive walk and a 1K fun run and walk.
There will be an awards ceremony at 10:45 a.m. in the finish area at Lions Park in Dowagiac.
Awards include custom-designed T-shirts to all who complete the 10K and 5K events. More than 200 custom designed stained glass awards, and special awards to open male, open female, master male, master female, age-group winners and special team winners will be given.
Ribbons will be given to all fun walk participants.
Additional awards include traveling team trophies to corporate, educator, and club winners; and certificates to specialty winners in various categories.
The cost for individual registration for Steve's Run is $15.
For additional information on Steve's Run or to request a registration form, contact Ron Gunn at (269) 782-1209 or (269) 687-1600, extension 1209.
You may also visit the Steve's Run website for more information at swmich.edu/fireup/stevesrun/ for additional information.