Ben's Memorial Mile & Community Festival
- Date Sat 8th August 2026
- Time 5:45PM CDT
- Location Downers Grove, Illinois
- Price Free - $22.20
- Races 4 races
- Distances 1 Mile
Event summary
Join us on Saturday, August 8th, 2026, for the vibrant Ben's Memorial Mile & Community Festival in downtown Downers Grove! This annual event shines a spotlight on mental health awareness and honors the inspiring life of Ben Silver. The day kicks off with a delightful 100-meter dash for little kids, followed by two exciting chip-timed one-mile road races for both runners and walkers. Don’t miss your chance to participate; registration prices for the open and elite miles will increase to $25 after July 8th. Plus, kids can dash for free!
The festivities don’t stop at the race! Enjoy a lively community festival filled with live music, delicious food options from food trucks, interactive kids' activities, and a variety of booths focused on mental health, fitness, and art. With raffles and games like corn hole, there’s fun for everyone! The community festival is free to attend, making it the perfect day out for families and friends. Be sure to register by July 22 to snag a T-shirt for just $10. Come together to celebrate, raise awareness, and support mental health foundations at this unforgettable event!
The festivities don’t stop at the race! Enjoy a lively community festival filled with live music, delicious food options from food trucks, interactive kids' activities, and a variety of booths focused on mental health, fitness, and art. With raffles and games like corn hole, there’s fun for everyone! The community festival is free to attend, making it the perfect day out for families and friends. Be sure to register by July 22 to snag a T-shirt for just $10. Come together to celebrate, raise awareness, and support mental health foundations at this unforgettable event!
Organiser's Description
Ben's Memorial Mile & Community Festival is an annual event hosted in downtown Downers Grove to raise money/awareness for mental health and to honor the life of Ben Silver.
The event consists of a little kids' 100-meter dash followed by two chip-timed, one-mile road races for runners and walkers. Prices will increase to $25 for the open and elite miles after July 8th. The little kids' 100-meter dash is free.
We will again have T-shirts, but you must select if you would like one during your registration process (they are $10 each). You must register by July 22 to get a T-shirt.
The community festival consists of live music, concessions, raffles, mental-health booths, fitness booths, art booths, kids activities, a food truck (snow cones & shaved ice), and corn hole. The community festival is FREE to attend. Ben's Memorial Mile is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and all proceeds are donated to mental-health foundations.
The event consists of a little kids' 100-meter dash followed by two chip-timed, one-mile road races for runners and walkers. Prices will increase to $25 for the open and elite miles after July 8th. The little kids' 100-meter dash is free.
We will again have T-shirts, but you must select if you would like one during your registration process (they are $10 each). You must register by July 22 to get a T-shirt.
The community festival consists of live music, concessions, raffles, mental-health booths, fitness booths, art booths, kids activities, a food truck (snow cones & shaved ice), and corn hole. The community festival is FREE to attend. Ben's Memorial Mile is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and all proceeds are donated to mental-health foundations.
Races
-
Open Mile (Runners/Walkers Slower Than 6:30 for 1 Mile)
Incl. $2.20 Fee
Sat 8th August 2026 (6:00PM CDT)
$22.20
This is a timed, one-mile road race for walkers and runners completing one mile in more than 6 minutes and 30 seconds. You must be off the course prior to 6:30 PM. -
Elite Mile (6:30 or Faster for 1 Mile)
Incl. $2.20 Fee
Sat 8th August 2026 (6:30PM CDT)
$22.20
This is a timed, one-mile road race for runners completing one mile in 6 minutes and 30 seconds or faster. You must be off the course no later than 6:45 PM. -
Little Kids' 100-Meter Dash
Sat 8th August 2026 (5:45PM CDT)
Free
This is a FREE 100-meter run for the little ones. Just show up with your child at the starting line (100 meters west of the finish line on Grove Street) at 5:45 PM! -
T-Shirt (For Those NOT Participating in the Races)
Incl. $1.60 Fee
$11.60
If you do not want to participate in the run/walk but would like an event T-shirt, you can purchase one or more with this option!
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Fishel Park, 1036 Grove St., Downers Grove, 60515, IL, United States
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Ben's Memorial Mile & Community Festival
