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Community Corner

Trot Like A Turkey at the Bonfield Express

Burn off those calories early so you can enjoy a guilt-free Thanksgiving dinner.

Editor's Note: This story has been revised due to incorrect pre-registration information. Patch regrets the error.

Perhaps you've seen the signs for it in people's yards, including one on Maple Avenue with giant, attention-grabbing turkeys. It's the Bonfield Express, and for some families the annual 5K race/walk has become as much a part of their Thanksgiving routine as eating a huge dinner, watching football, taking a tryptophan-induced nap, and finally doing the dishes.

For the seventh year in the row, the Bonfield Express will wind its way through the heart of Downers Grove—a USA Track and Field certified course—beginning at 8:30 am on Thanksgiving morning.  And like they do every year, Chuck Meister, his wife and five children will be among the runners and walkers.

"Since the race started in 2004, we've been out there every Thanksgiving morning," Meister said. "My children age in range from 20 to 26 and they all look forward to it. It gives them a chance to see their friends from high school and we can visit with friends and neighbors we don't get to see that often. The Bonfield Express is just an outstanding family-oriented event."

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The race, dedicated to the memory of Jim Bonfield, a former dean, coach, teacher and father who worked at for 32 years, generates funds for the Bonfield Express Foundation scholarship fund.  The scholarships are awarded to high school seniors who reflect Bonfield's personal example of character, perseverance and love of community.

"What makes the race unique is the hometown feeling it offers," said Will Kupisch, the Bonfield Express Director. "The course itself is challenging, but it is beautiful and scenic. Runners start on Main Street in downtown Downers Grove, loop around the business district then wind their way through some of our community's most historic neighborhoods."

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And while the race is physically good for your heart, Kupisch believes it's more then that.

"As you see everyone participating in the race and in the events afterwards, you can see their hearts are really in it," he said. "They've come out to help the community and help others. The residents who aren't participating in the race will show their support by standing in their yards and loudly cheering for the racers as they come by—it's quite a site."

Last year the Bonfield Express attracted more then 3,300 participants. This year, 3,850 people have already registered for the race. "We have seen an increase in participation every year since the race began, but this increase is a larger than in recent years," said Deborah Hare, a Bonfield Express committee member.

The race will once again feature chip timing, a precise method of electronically gathering and processing race results. Awards will be handed out immediately after the race at a ceremony held in the Downers Grove parking garage. Complimentary food and beverages, as well as the popular post-race "massage in the garage," will be available to all race participants.

Participants can still pre-register in person from 1-5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 24 at the Runners Grove, 5155 Main St., for $30 per person or $100 for a family of four. Registration will also be accepted on race day from 7-8 a.m. at theTivoli Theatre for $35 per person. 

 

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