Ben's Memorial Mile & Community Festival
- Date
- August 8, 2026
- Distance
- Open Mile (runners/walkers slower than 6:30 for 1 mile). There is an option later in this form to purchase a T-shirt for an additional $10. · Elite Mile (6:30 or faster for 1 mile). There is an option later in this form to purchase a T-shirt for an additional $10. · Little Kids' 100-Meter Dash & more
From the Organizer
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.
Events
Weather
Typical Conditions
It's too far out for a forecast, so here's what weather on this date is normally like in the area. A race day forecast will replace this as race week approaches.
Typical High
84°
Typical Low
61°
Based on US Climate Normals data from Lisle-Morton Arboretum, 4 mi from the venue.
Host City
About Downers Grove, IL
Population
49,867
as of 2023
Elevation
747 ft
Nearest Airport
MDW
Chicago Midway International Airport · 14 mi
Time Zone
Central Time
From Endurance Grid
A mid-size host city. Enough lodging and amenities to keep race weekend easy, without big-city sprawl.
Race Location
Your Next Start Line
What Are You
Waiting For?
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at Ben's Memorial Mile & Community Festival, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
61
Days to train
- Race
- Ben's Memorial Mile & Community Festival
- Date
- August 8, 2026
Coming Up
More Running races near Downers Grove, IL
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4 miles away
Daisy Dash
3 miles away
SMG 5K Race & 1 Mile Run
5K
Less than a mile away
Lester Fun Run 2025
Less than a mile away
From Endurance Grid
About This Sport
Endurance Grid is here to help you understand the sport, decide if it's the right fit, and learn how to prepare. For course distances, logistics, and race-day specifics, always defer to the race organizer's event page.
With running, there's a distance for every fitness level, a community at every start line, and nothing beats the feeling of crossing a finish line you trained for.
Running is an endurance sport that rewards consistency, and showing up every week compounds in ways that will surprise you.
Running
From 5K to marathon, running races are the most accessible entry point into endurance sport. There's a distance for every fitness level and a community at every start line.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the Ben's Memorial Mile & Community Festival?
- Ben's Memorial Mile & Community Festival is a running race held in Downers Grove, Illinois on August 8, 2026. It is one of the many endurance events listed on Endurance Grid, a multi-sport endurance event calendar covering running races, triathlons, HYROX, and more endurance sports across the United States. Find more running races near you or explore our sports guides to learn what race day actually feels like.
- When and where is the Ben's Memorial Mile & Community Festival?
- Saturday, August 8, 2026 in Downers Grove, Illinois at Fishel Park, 1036 Grove St., Downers Grove, IL. Check the event page for exact start times and wave schedules.
- How do I register for the Ben's Memorial Mile & Community Festival?
- Registration is handled through the event's registration page. Confirm pricing and distances there, and sign up.
Ben's Memorial Mile & Community Festival
Aug 8, 2026