Ben Campbell Memorial 5K 2026

Description

Benjamin Cole Campbell was a go-getter, destined for greatness, and though he’s no longer with us, we pledge to keep his legacy alive forever. The Benjamin Campbell Memorial Fund has been established to keep Ben's legacy alive by helping other students achieve. Ben's journey is a reminder that given the opportunity, with hard work and focus, you can achieve.

Ben’s childhood was anything but easy. His mother, Carla, was diagnosed with Leukemia and fought hard for many years. As years passed her health rapidly declined. Ben and his siblings were enrolled at Milton Hershey School, in hopes that Carla would win the fight against Leukemia and their family would be reunited. The disease eventually took its toll on her and she lost her battle, a week prior to Ben’s 8th grade graduation. The family struggled with the devastating loss - now four children without a mom.

While at Milton Hershey, Ben played football and was an asset to the team. Football was his anchor - he found a way to release his anger and frustration, kept his grades, and stayed focused; however, home is where his heart needed to be. He wanted to be back home with his dad. His dad agreed to let him come home, and he enrolled in Newark High School. Not long after his arrival, he had made new friends and was voted junior captain of the football team. It was here he met his future fiancé, Shannon.

Ben was determined to continue his education after high school and played football at Wesley College. He worked really hard and graduated with honors. He was able to see his Dad and siblings and thought all the hard work would pay off. He worked hard every day...really hard. Quotes in this letter are from his application to Widener Law School. Telling his story he said, "Nothing in my life has been handed to me. I worked hard for every accolade. I expect to work hard to earn my law degree and when the academics get tough, I will never give up. When I earn my degree, I will use it to help as many families as possible.”

Ben graduated from Widener Law School in May of 2021 with honors! He worked part time for Baird Mandalas Brockstedt and Federico LLC while he studied for the bar exam. Again, he rallied with friends and studied like it was a full-time job. His work ethic was an amazing example of grit and determination. He passed the Bar and was hired by Baird, Mandalas, Brockstedt, and Federico LLC full time. He did it... he overcame his circumstances!

Ben was engaged to his high school sweetheart, Shannon, and was to be married on October 7, 2023. They attended Newark High School and Wesley together. They were champions with a pursuit of helping others, She became an RN at Christiana Hospital. His fairytale was coming true.

On July 29 tragedy struck. Eight weeks before he was to marry the love of his life, Ben was killed in an accident and taken from us. No farewell words were spoken. No time to say goodbye. He was gone before we knew it and now we are left asking why.

Since last July, the Campbell Family and Ben’s friends and extended family have been picking up the pieces of this horrible tragedy. The Ben Campbell Memorial Fund has been established to help others, as Ben would have wanted and what he devoted his career to doing. We would love to see as many people out to celebrate Ben’s life and raise as much money as possible for the Fund. The 5k will start and end at Ben’s Alma Mater, Newark High School. The course will take you through the City of Newark. We welcome all walkers and runners of all abilities.

There will be a post-rate after party at Deer Park Tavern starting at 10:30am. There will be amazing raffles to purchase tickets for and other donation and fundraising opportunities. We would love to see everyone after.

“Teams” are made for Newark High School Alumni, MIlton Hershey School Alumni, Wesley Alumni, Delaware Law Alumni, ChristianaCare, Baird, Mandalas, and Brockstedt & Federico LLC that you can join when you register for the race. All of t