Our mission can only thrive in a space where everyone feels safe–and right now, our friends and neighbors are being illegally brutalized and kidnapped. Here’s how you can prepare and stay safe.

Nominations for this year’s categories just opened, and we’d love your help to make Read & Run Chicago a contender in Best Tour (City Life) and Best Running Club (Sports & Fitness).

Ready to show off how much you love to read and run? This upcoming Fall 2025 season, we’re hosting a Read & Run Chicago challenge designed to get you moving, reading, and exploring the city—all while working towards a complimentary Winter 2026 All-Access Membership.

This year, Read & Run Chicago is bringing a unique, bookish spin to the festivities. Whether you’re running the marathon, cheering on friends and family, or looking for things to do in Chicago during marathon weekend, we’re hosting community-centered gatherings before, during, and after race day.

Here’s how you can join Read & Run Chicago for our special events surrounding the 2025 Bank of America Chicago Marathon.

It’s time for Read & Run Chicago’s annual tradition of cheering on marathon runners in the best way we know how—stories!

Read & Run Chicago hosted Lee Weiner virtually after our Running Tour of the 1968 Democratic National Convention Protests with guide John Foley in November 2024—just after the reelection of President Donald Trump. Weiner, having seen years of both progress and missteps, wasn’t optimistic about the future of equity in the U.S. Watch the video below to learn more about what he thinks of contemporary America.

Membership for Read & Run Chicago’s Fall 2025 season is now open—and we have just a few spots left. Whether you’re looking to shake up your running routine, meet thoughtful, curious, and likeminded Chicagoans, or just want a reason to leave the house with a book in one hand and running shoes on your feet, we’d love to have you.

Whether you’re an introvert, a new (and nervous) runner, or simply not sure if Read & Run Chicago is the right fit for you, here are important things to keep in mind about our events.

Joining Read & Run Chicago for the first time? Here’s your essential tips to make the most of your experience.

There’s no doubt about: reading outdoors in Chicago is magical. That’s why this August, Read & Run Chicago is inviting you to soak up the best of the end of the season with three outdoor reading gatherings in three incredible outdoor reading spots—some you may have never heard of—and you’re officially invited.

Watch this video to hear from two former members of Jane, the revolutionary underground abortion network in Chicago.

Read & Run Chicago's Running Tour of Jane is inspired by the work of the pre-Roe V. Wade abortion counseling service. Guide Kaylee Tock rounds up the books and documentaries worth watching to learn more.

Guide Kaylee Tock rounded up resources, further reading, and even a self-guided route to help you continue your learning of Jane and reproductive rights advocacy in Chicago and beyond.

We’re building our Winter 2026 season and want your input! Vote for your favorite events here to read and run all winter long.

Ever heard of Queer Pulp? This genre wasn’t taken seriously for years—but it was where many Queer people found representation, community, and belonging. Jen Dentel of Gerber/Hart Library & Archives gives us an explanation and a reading list to keep understanding.

Read & Run Chicago guide Quinn Sluzenski rounded up some of the best books and resources to learn more about the pre-Stonewall era in Chicago!

Join Read & Run Chicago founder Allison Yates this summer for a series of three-mile, easy-paced runs inspired by books set in Chicago featuring or about our natural landscape. After the route, discuss the book back at the library branch.

Meet the readers & runners racing the 2025 Bank of America Chicago Marathon on behalf of Read & Run Chicago!

Read & Run Chicago was one of the Chicago-based organizations selected for the 2025 Bank of America Chicago Distance Series Entries for Equity program.

Intimidated by Chicago’s running scene? This guide gives you history and background, practical tips to finding the right Chicago run club for you, plus other resources on finding running stores, recovery services, races, and more.