Ben's Memorial Mile & Community Festival
About this race
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.
Join fellow runners on August 8, 2026 for the Ben's Memorial Mile & Community Festival. It's a fantastic 1.6K featuring a flat and fast course in Downers Grove.
Pick your distance
Running
Open Mile (runners/walkers slower than 6:30 for 1 mile)
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)
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.
Weather Overview
These values represent the 2-year monthly averages for August in Downers Grove.
About Downers Grove
Ben's Memorial Mile & Community Festival takes place in Downers Grove, Illinois, United States. The local timezone is America/Chicago.
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- Downers Grove 5K Races Best Downers Grove routes for beginners and speed work.
- Downers Grove Running Calendar 2026 See all upcoming race dates.
Race information has been sourced from the event's official website and other publicly available resources. For the most up-to-date details, please refer to the official website directly. If you notice any incorrect or missing information, don't hesitate to reach out to us by email.
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