Saturday, June 15th, 2019 from 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Downers Grove North High School
4436 Main Street, Downers Grove, Illinois 60515
Would you like to have a great time with your friends and family while raising awareness for mental illness and suicide prevention at the same time? Join us for the fourth-annual Ben’s Memorial Mile at Downers Grove North (DGN) High School’s outdoor track! Bring your friends to run or walk with you (only $25 for unlimited races) or to cheer you on for free! It’s an evening of running, walking, music, and games in honor of Ben Silver, the DGN champion runner who died July 2, 2015 at the age of 22 after battling mental illness for three years.
Ben’s Memorial Mile features an open mile, elite mile, costume mile, relay race, kids’ half mile, little kids’ 100-meter dash, “Ben-ipede” group run, “Geezer Wheezer” 400-meter run, and walking mile. Come for the music, mental-health booths, food, raffles, “bags” contest, kids tent, and much more. There’s also a one-lap walk under the lights at the end of the night in honor of Ben and everyone who has suffered from mental illness.
Ben’s Memorial Mile will also be hosting a fundraiser on Tuesday, June 11 from 5:00pm – 9:00pm at Chipotle Mexican Grill (1203 W. Ogden Avenue, Downers Grove). A percentage of all sales will be donated to our cause, and we’ll have a good time to boot! Be sure to mention to the cashier that you’re there for the Ben’s Memorial Mile fundraiser.
On Friday, June 14, there will be a Ben’s Memorial pre-party at Pierce Tavern (5135 Main Street, Downers Grove) from 9:00pm – 12:00am. We’ve also added an after party on June 15 at Cadence Kitchen & Co. (5101 Mochel Drive, Downers Grove) from 10:00pm – 1:00am. Both of these establishments will donate a portion of the night’s proceeds to our cause.
“I run in Ben’s Memorial mile because Ben Silver’s story touches my heart. Ben was kind, funny, a great athlete, an entertaining musician, and an all-around great guy. I run for Ben because Ben ran for us. From seventh grade through senior year he overcame injuries to bring Downers Grove North’s track and cross-country teams to the state meets. Ben’s Memorial Mile brings back that energizing feeling of running on the track and getting cheered on by the crowd. It’s a blast for all ages.”
–A Ben’s Memorial Mile attendee
