DOWAGIAC (7/26/03) -- The 29th annual Steve's Run, billed as Michigan's Original Road and Trail Race, enjoyed a formidable turnout.

Southwestern Michigan College hosted 1,180 competitors for its 5K and 10K races. Another 40 took part in the 1K Fun Run, which cost 50 cents to enter.

The 1,200-plus participants is easily the most this race has attracted since it changed its name to Steve's Run, in memory of SMC honor graduate Steven Briegel, who died of cancer in 1990. Proceeds have since gone to Mayo Clinic for cancer research, and Briegel Scholarship awards. Founding director Ron Gunn said this year's run raised close to $20,000. Last year's Steve's Run took in about $18,000.

The event is flavored by extra touches, such as giving cancer survivors special t-shirts, numbers and post-race recognition. The latter is done while the song "Stand by Me" plays in the background. "It stirs up a lot of emotion," Gunn declared.

Last year, Steve's Run began selling "Fire Up" signs used to cheer on runners or honor loved ones who died of cancer. This year officials sold more than 100 signs, which they placed where the 5K and 10K split. Proceeds, again, went to cancer research.

Many are drawn to Steve's Run by the uniqueness of its course, which traverses a golf course, wildlife refuge, wooded trails, the SMC campus and a graveyard. Runners can even hurdle hay bales and a stone fence, if they want.

"We always get top collegians here," Gunn said. Recent Aquinas College graduate Paul Barrons, 23, won the 5K in 15:43, comfortably ahead of runnerup Justin Gillette, 20, of Niles (16:02).

"The 5K was pretty fast," said Barrons, whose PR is 15:31. "I'd have liked to run 10 seconds faster, but I was able to maintain my pace just fine."

Calvin College junior Tim Avery, 21, claimed the 10K in 33:37. The New York native, who currently lives in Grand Rapids, withstood the pursuit of Adam Dohm, 20, of Cassopolis, second in 33:48.

Notre Dame runners swept the women's 10K and 5K. Lauren King, 20, of Toronto, won the longer race in 37:30, besting runnerup Elisa Zemlick, 16, of Portage (40:03). Fighting Irish teammate Molly Huddle, 18, took the 5K in 16:48, far ahead of second-place Alison Bishel, 15, of Valparaiso (20:40).

For pictures and complete results, visit http://www.smc. cc.mi.us/fireup/stevesrun. Steve's Run is also showing on http://michiganrunner.tv. MR