The Bonilla brothers are passionate about their running and rely on each other for support on and off the course.

Richie Bonilla, 17, finished 11th in the state last year and was expecting to run his personal best this year when he collapsed in the regional tournament with acute renal kidney failure. After a week in the hospital and a month sabbatical from running, Richie said he expects to make a full recovery and plans to be a strong competitor in college. Richie has not decided which University he will attend in the fall, however he hopes to go out of state and plans to study sports management.

Richie was recently selected as the Broward County runner of the year! He has made the All-County team since the 10th grade. He won two district championships and helped his teams to secure four county, district, and regional titles. He transferred to Cypress Bay from South Plantation High School his junior year to be closer to some of his friends.

“I missed my friends from middle school and the neighborhood and I knew that Cypress Bay had a good running program,” he said.

Richie has been running competitively since eighth grade and competes in the one-mile, two-mile and 4x8 relay for the Cypress Bay Track team, as well. He has a 3.9 grade point average and is working harder than ever his senior year.

“He is a great role model for the rest of the team because he shows them how you can have it all,” said Coach Iain Gascoigne.

Richie said his team is like a big family and they all spend time together outside of school, as well. He is especially bonded with teammate and younger brother Kevin Bonilla.

Kevin, 15, started running in the 7th grade and has already proven himself as a strong competitor in his first season in high school. He made first team All-Broward County this year and performed very well at the state meet in November.

“Kevin is on track to be one of the better runners over the next three years,” Gascoigne said.

Kevin said that watching Richie run and seeing his dedication inspired him to start running also.

“He sets a good example for me and he has always been there for me,” Kevin said.

Big brother Richie is equally as supportive of Kevin.

“He’s cool…hopefully he can make a name for himself,” Richie said. “We talk a lot about strategies at home and he knows he can always come to me.”

Both brothers credit their parents and little sister for always being supportive of them and spending countless hours watching them run.

“Richie and Kevin have all ways been very close, but watching them bond over the running has been even more rewarding,” said Jayne Bonilla. “They are best friends and I could not ask for better sons.”

“They help each other out and they are competitive with each other which makes them better runners,” Gascoigne said.

Kevin also competes in the one-mile and two-mile for the Cypress Bay Track team.

Two years ago, Kevin started a 5K run and walk to raise awareness for various charitable organizations. He raised money for the sponsorships and coordinated all of the logistics of the race.

More than 400 people participated in the race the first year and 500 the second year. They raised money for SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions), Hears Help, a substance abuse rehabilitation center, and this year for Lance Armstrong’s Foundation. Kevin is working with Split Second Training, a race management company, to help coordinate the race this year.

“Working with Kevin on this race has been a rewarding experience,” said Josh Stern, President of Split Second Training. “Kevin is very involved and works hard to make this race a huge success…he knows how to get things done.”

This year, Chai Five is scheduled for February 19th at Markham Park in Weston. For more information, contact (954) 384-7521.