University News
2025 Fallen Soldiers 5K Raises $19,000; Surpasses $250,000 Total Raised
November 11, 2025
MACOMB, IL - The 2025 Fallen Soldiers 5K took place on Saturday, Oct. 4. This year's event drew in more than 350 participants and raised more than $19,000 for student scholarships.
Nathan Haley of Macomb finished first with a time of 18:15. Meg Simmons, a freshman Agricultural Business major from Macomb, was the top female finisher for the second year in a row with a time of 20:50.
Proceeds from this annual event support the Fallen Soldiers Scholarship Fund, which provides scholarships for º£½ÇÆÆ½â°æ's veteran and military service students. Over 14 years, the Fallen Soldiers 5K has raised more than $256,000 for scholarships.
The event and scholarship fund honor the memory of º£½ÇÆÆ½â°æ alumni Capt. Derek Dobogai and Lt. Col. Robert Baldwin, who were both killed in the line of duty.
Other top finishers, by age group, include:
- Female (0-14) - Annabelle Wirsing; Prophetstown
- Male (0-14) - Easton Donnelly; London Mills
- Female (15-19) - Megan Redding; Macomb
- Male (15-19) - Reed Lytle; Macomb
- Female (20-24) - Faith Demler; Canton
- Male (20-24) - Amir Oden-Shabazz; Macomb
- Female (25-29) - Renee Lock; Avon
- Male (25-29) - Austin Pray; Macomb
- Female (30-34) - Nicole Gillotti; Macomb
- Male (30-34) - Colter Hentzel; Macomb
- Female (35-39) - Jenna Rickard; Macomb
- Male (35-39) - Sam Moore; Blandinsville
- Female (40-44) - Ashley Walton; Chadwick
- Male (40-44) - Luis Gabriel; Beardstown
- Female (45-49) - Amanda Sperry; Alexis
- Male (45-49) - Scott Lawson; Macomb
- Female (50-54) - Michelle Murphy; Monmouth
- Male (50-54) - Bradley Bolton; Trivoli
- Female (55-59) - Julia Burns, Macomb
- Male (55-59) - Andres Gonzalez; Colona
- Female (60-64) - Andrea Gonzalez; Colona
- Male (60-64) - Mike Toohill; Bloomington
- Female (65-69) - Laura Barden-Gabbei; Macomb
- Male (65-69) - Michael Heille; Macomb
- Female (70+) - Peg Humes; North Henderson
- Male (70+) - Skip Skripps; Macomb
In total, nearly 400 people participated in the in-person 5K, the one-mile walk or the virtual 5K.
At the pre-race ceremony, the 2025 Fallen Soldiers Scholarship recipients were recognized. This year's recipients were Matsie Baker, a Clinical Mental Health Counseling graduate student from Bettendorf, Iowa; Cory Booher, an Engineering Technology graduate student from Quincy; Skyler Funk, a Public Safety Administration graduate student from Gibson CIty; David Offhaus, a senior Supply Chain Management Major from Plano; and Kimberlyn Raab, a senior Engineering Technology major from Warren.
The sponsors for the 2025 event included: T-shirt sponsor - º£½ÇÆÆ½â°æ Foundation; finish line sponsor - Jackie and Dave Thompson; packet sponsor - Pella Corporation Macomb, race route sponsors - The Pirog Family and Dr. Jared Reed. The event partners were Macomb Hy-Vee, Refreshment Services Pepsi and Engraving by Lin.
To see full race results, view photos from the event, and purchase shirts from 2025 and previous years, visit .
Posted By: Drew Donahoo (AM-Donahoo@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing

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