Thank you to all those who supported and attended…

Ben’s Memorial Mile & Community Festival

Saturday, August 10, 2024

This year we hosted two chip-timed, 1-mile road races (on a USATF-certified course) along with our community festival at Fishel Park. Click below to see the results and to download your results certificate! Stay tuned for more information on next year's event!

Ben's Memorial Mile is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that hosts a running gala and community festival held every summer to raise money and awareness for mental health and suicide prevention in honor of Ben Silver.

Ben's Memorial Mile Logo
Information about our 2024 event:

Pre-event fundraiser:

  • Thank you to all who attended our Chipotle fundraiser on August 6!

2024 Race information (both races were officially chip-timed):

  • 5:30 PM: Open/walking mile (for those slower than 6:30 pace for 1 mile)
  • 6:00 PM: Elite mile (for those running 6:30 or faster for 1 mile)
  • 7:00 PM: Awards ceremony & announcement of raffle winners

2024 Fishel Park community festival (3:00 PM – 8:30 PM):

  • We had a whole lineup of artists that performed live music! We also had FREE concessions, vendors, raffles, and a kids tent. All participants received 1 complimentary raffle ticket and could purchase more.
List of artists that performed!

Thank You for Being a Part of Ben’s Story

The song “Ben’s Mile”

  • This song was written and played by Chris Ferguson (of Jack the Acquaintance).
  • Vocals are by Clare Collins.
  • Chris was inspired by Ben’s story and wrote this song to honor him.

Recent Updates

Volunteering / Yard Signs

Looking for other ways to help? Let us know if you are interested in volunteering or putting up a Ben’s Memorial Mile yard sign by clicking the link below:

Click here!

Book Available on Amazon

Jamie Silver (Ben’s mom) wrote a book about connecting with Ben. You can find Our Forever Ben: Letters from a Loving Mom to Her Son in Spirit, And His Poetic Replies via the link below.

Learn More

Ben’s Story

Benjamin Lee Silver was not only a son, brother, cousin, friend, teammate, captain, and fierce competitor—he was also a huge figure in his community: an enthusiastic and empathetic person who positively touched those around him. As a student at Downers Grove North High School, he was a four-time all-state athlete well known for his success on the track and cross-country course. Ben continued his athletic and academic pursuits at Miami University of Ohio, a top liberal-arts institution with a storied athletic history. However, during his college career he had a series of injuries and could not run, and his academics struggled as a result. He began acting erratically, and during the summer of his junior year he was diagnosed with schizophrenia, an often misunderstood and misdiagnosed disorder that typically arises in late adolescence and early adulthood. Though Ben’s struggles with this terrible illness eventually led to him taking his life in July 2015, the influence he had as a family member, friend, teammate, captain, and competitor lives on.

Join us this year for another running of Ben’s Memorial Mile, a community running event and celebration of life. Regardless of your ability, there will be an event for you! Join us in celebrating Ben’s life, your life, and all lives, all while raising awareness for mental health issues in the United States. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a former all-stater searching for a new personal best or a couch potato—there will be an event for you. Join us!

Read Ben’s Full Story Play Video

Where Your Money Goes

Brain & Behavior Research Foundation

The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation is committed to alleviating the suffering caused by mental illness by awarding grants that will lead to advances and breakthroughs in scientific research.

logo-bbrf

bbrfoundation.org

National Alliance on Mental Illness

NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.

namidupage.org

Can't make it to an event? Here are two ways you can help!

Donate today or volunteer your time!

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