Community Spirit Radiates at 2015 Bonfield Express

Submitted by the Bonfield Express Foundation. Photos by Dianne Hlinsky.

The gray morning couldn’t dampen the community spirit in Downers Grove this Thanksgiving as runners and walkers gathered early on the downtown streets and sidewalks to participate in the 12th Annual Bonfield Express 5K.

One of the most popular years ever, the race attracted 5,630 registrants.

The top male finishers in the 2015 Bonfield Express 5K were:

1. Aaron Silver of Downers Grove, IL,
2. Stephen Wilder of Plainfield, IL
3. Dylan Jennings of Saline, MI.

The top female finishers were:

1. Alyssa Poremba of Chicago,
2. Keegan Kilrea of LaGrange Park, IL, and
3. Katie Strelau of Downers Grove, IL.

One of the largest annual events held in Downers Grove, the race is now a Thanksgiving morning tradition in this charming western suburb. It has become so much a part of the local fabric that members of the community, especially those living along its scenic route, have gotten involved, cheering on racers from their lawns and porches.

Moreover, some along the race course have taken their involvement a step beyond, radiating the love of community that defines the purpose of the Bonfield Express 5K.

Each year, the Giesler family sets up a lighted stand to distribute “Power Donuts” to racers.

“We just love doing this,” said Marsha Giesler. “The people in our community are so nice.”

What started out as just a poster and a few donuts later became a hand-built stand with lights so runners could see it.

“This whole thing came from the fact that my kids were runners and they thought the idea of having a donut stand for runners ran counter to everything serious runners do,” Giesler said.

This year, Brayer Teague, Fine Arts Chairperson at Downers Grove North High School, got in the act and invited racers to participate in a new race route feature – the “Bang a Gong 4 the Arts”. Bonfield Express racers were invited to make a modest route detour onto Teague’s front lawn where a huge gong stand was set up with mallets for racers to bang the gong. It proved a popular addition to the race.

Area high school students are also heavily involved in the race, some as race participants and others who lend their support as volunteers. Freddy Zimmerman and Keara Corbett, both seniors at Downers Grove North High School, sang a Star Spangled Banner duet while Nathan Buresch, a student at Downers Grove South, sounded the train whistle that serves as the official start of the race.

Mascots from Downers Grove North, Downers Grove South and Hinsdale Central high schools were there to liven up the grey morning and a Downers Grove North jazz combo greeted racers as they crossed the finish line.

Race participants socialized at a post-race party held in the Downers Grove Parking Garage immediately following the race. The event featured complimentary fruit and bagels provided by Whole Foods of Willowbrook and coffee and hot chocolate provided by Peet’s Coffee & Tea. The Sohmar School of Holistic Massage and Therapy provided their complimentary “Massage in the Garage” to race participants as well.

The race began in 2004 as a way to honor the memory of Downers Grove South father, teacher, dean and coach Jim Bonfield. Funds generated through the race provide scholarship assistance to select students who reflect his personal example of character, commitment and love of community.

Since 2004, the Bonfield Express Foundation has distributed more than $300,000 in scholarships to 143 west suburban seniors attending high school at Downers Grove North, Downers Grove South, Hinsdale Central, Hinsdale South, Lisle, and Westmont High Schools.

This year, the Bonfield Express Foundation also donated $1,000 to each of the 13 schools in District 58 to help them recognize students that demonstrated Jim Bonfield’s personal perseverance, strong moral character, joy of learning and commitment to community.