WIU's 15th Fallen Soldiers 5K Raises Nearly $16,000; Endowed Fund Tops $100,000

The 15th annual Fallen Soldiers 5K drew more than 300 participants and raised nearly $16,000 for student scholarships on Saturday, Oct. 10, in Macomb, Western Illinois University said.

Richard Brown, of Macomb, finished first overall with a time of 17:24. Sofia Andrade, of Monmouth, was the top female finisher at 24:50.

Proceeds from the annual event support the Fallen Soldiers Scholarship Fund, which provides scholarships for WIU's veteran and military service students. Over 15 years, the event has raised more than $270,000 for scholarships. The Fallen Soldiers Endowed Scholarship Fund has surpassed $100,000, ensuring students will benefit from the scholarship opportunity in perpetuity.

The event and scholarship fund honor the memory of WIU alumni Capt. Derek Dobogai and Lt. Col. Robert Baldwin, who were both killed in the line of duty.

Background

According to Western Illinois University's Campus Recreation website, the run/walk began in 2012 as a fundraiser for the scholarship fund, with a program held before the race to honor the fallen soldiers and recognize current scholarship recipients.

2026 scholarship recipients

At the pre-race ceremony, the 2026 Fallen Soldiers Scholarship recipients were recognized:

Erin Everson, a Clinical Mental Health Counseling graduate student from Clinton, Iowa
Robert Mack, an Alternative Teacher Licensure graduate student from Davenport, Iowa
Victor Garcia, a senior Emergency Management major from Dundee
Sheila Hoffer, a senior Human Resource Management major from Fargo, North Dakota

Top finishers by age group

Female (0-14) — Maci Logan, Rushville
Male (0-14) — Elias Gabriel, Beardstown
Female (15-19) — Lilian Caldwell, Roseville
Male (15-19) — Kyler Glaue, Macomb
Female (20-24) — Miracle Robinson, Madison, Wis.
Male (20-24) — Amir Oden-Shabazz, Macomb
Female (25-29) — Victoria Becerra, Macomb
Male (25-29) — Mark Tillman, Tennessee
Female (30-34) — Nicole Gillotti, Macomb
Male (30-34) — Tim Becket, Macomb
Female (35-39) — Isamar Rodriguez, Beardstown
Male (35-39) — Sam Moore, Blandinsville
Female (40-44) — Jess Forman, Macomb
Male (40-44) — Daniel Lathrop, Macomb
Female (45-49) — Stephanie McVey, Monmouth
Male (45-49) — Robert Mack, Davenport, Iowa
Female (50-54) — Michelle Murphy, Monmouth
Male (50-54) — Barend Wurth, Adair
Female (55-59) — Pamela Stokes, Carol Stream
Male (55-59) — Andres Gonzalez, Colona
Female (60-64) — Andrea Gonzalez, Colona
Male (60-64) — Lawrence Pickett, Macomb
Female (65-69) — Lisa Hinman, Macomb
Male (65-69) — Pete Donnelly, London Mills
Female (70+) — Cindy Friedrich, Havana
Male (70+) — Leroy Tappe, Roseville

WIU's 15th Fallen Soldiers 5K Raises Nearly $16,000; Endowed Fund Tops $100,000

Background

2026 scholarship recipients

Top finishers by age group

Sponsors