Bonfield 2019

The Bonfield Express is an annual Thanksgiving tradition for thousands of Downers Grove residents and their families each year. The 2019 edition of the 5k race was the 16th annual and drew more than 5,000 runners, walkers, and most importantly for the washed up cross country runners like myself an opportunity to see alumni and also who is in any sort of decent shape.

The Bonfield also donates to local area schools having awarded $660,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors at Downers Grove South and North since 2004.

Bonfield also gives us the opportunity to relive old high school rivalries and see how DGS and DGN alumni (those not on breaks or too soft to compete) stack up against each other.

Jeremy Craven, DGN alum and Purdue senior, took home the win in 15:02. Craven has finished in the top 2 every year since 2016 and took home the win in 2017. His winning time appears to be the fastest ever according to available records on Bonfield’s website.

In typical fashion DGN, who’s brought home multiple State trophies including a State Championship in 2017, took home the win with a 22-35 win using dual meet scoring. Overall DGN took 5 of the top 10 spots. Former Illinois high school runners took 29 of the top 30 spots (possibly 30, but James Robertson, winner of the 40-49 age group, didn’t have an Athletic.net profile).

Kaneland surprisingly had two members of their 2A 2018 State winning team finish in the top 25, Hinsdale South, Hinsdale Central, Montini, and Larkin each had one finisher in the top 30.

A greater breakdown of the results is shown below. Here is the link to the full results. And here is a link to Bonfield's website for race photos.