Bonfield Express Adds Scholarships for 10th Anniversary

Downers's Grove's beloved annual Thanksgiving Day race, the Bonfield Express 5K, is celebrating 10 years and organizers want its fans to feel the love, too. 

This year only, the Bonfield Foundation will offer 10 additional scholarships—24 total—for deserving high school students. 

The Downers Grove-based Bonfield Foundation is a not-for-profit that aims to build character and community commitment in high school students. It was founded in memory of Downers Grove South teacher Jim Bonfield, who died in October 2003 after battling Hodgkin’s Disease, leukemia and rheumatoid arthritis.

While brainstorming on how to commemorate 10 years of the race, foundation president Annette Bonfield flashed back to its inaugural year. In deciding how to divvy up the scholarships, Bonfield remembered her husband's devotion to his students. 

"'What would Jim do?'" she recalled thinking. "Jim would give it to more kids."

Since 2004, the foundation has awarded more than $211,000 in scholarships to 104 west suburban seniors in Downers Grove, Hinsdale, Lisle and Westmont who reflect Bonfield's personal example of character, perseverance and love of community. Fourteen scholarships were awarded in 2013 alone.

"It's not just about the amount," Bonfield said. "It's about the recognition, and chance to feel good about themselves." 

The application process includes an essay (with a different prompt each year), letters of recommendation, and a list of the student's school choices. 

Registration is still open for the Bonfield Express 5K, which attracts thousands of runners and spectators to downtown Downers Grove. Last year's race saw more than 6,000 runners take to the course. The race kicks off at 8:30 a.m., at Main and Grove streets in downtown Downers Grove. 

"Families love to run off their turkey, before they even eat it," Bonfield said. 

This year's race will use the course from two years ago, rather than last year's updated course. The race starts at Main and Grove Streets in downtown Downers Grove.  The course begins with a loop around the downtown area.  After the first mile, the course enters Denburn Woods.  The route passes the second mile just before it exits Denburn Woods.  Finally, runners will complete a small neighborhood loop before returning to downtown for the finish line on Curtiss Street.

• Register Online: Ends Nov. 22, 10 p.m.: $25 per person, $85 for a family of four. 
• Onsite Pre-registration: Nov. 23–24, $30 per person and $100 for a family of 4. 
• Day of Race Registration: $35 per person only

• Nov. 23–24: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Good Samaritan Health and Wellness
• Nov. 28: 7–8 a.m., Tivoli Theatre