5 Reasons to Become a Read & Run Chicago Member This Season
By Allison Yates
If you're a Chicagoan who loves a good book and a good sweat and are looking for a one-of-a-kind community, you're in the right place!
Since 2021, Read & Run Chicago, a chapter of Read & Run Tours, has brought book-loving Chicago runners together for guided runs where stories take place (we’ve visited more than 30 Chicago neighborhoods inspired by nearly 40 Chicago-based books) and connected them with dozens of authors and experts–all with the goal of forming deeper connections to each other and city we call home, all while supporting local libraries, indie bookstores, and other small businesses.
We’ve covered everything from Chicago’s pizza history to the devastating 2013 Chicago Public School closings–and there’s so much more Chicago history and culture to explore.
All-Access Member Lesly meets author Christie Tate in March 2025.
[Related: Essential Tips for Runners & Book Lovers: Your First Read & Run Chicago Experience]
While anyone can purchase tickets to attend our events, our All-Access Membership program is built for those runners who are dedicated to attending most of the events each season–and who want accountability, community, perks (free books? Yes!), and much more.
Whether you're new to the Windy City, thinking of joining several events this fall, or need to refresh your running routine, here are five reasons why Fall 2025 is the perfect time to join Read & Run Chicago’s All-Access Membership program.
1. Save money
Reading and running…in this economy? Yep, we still believe it’s valuable—and not just for you, but also for authors and small businesses in our city.
If you’re planning to attend more than just a couple events in our Fall 2025 season, our All-Access Membership gets you just that: all access at a fraction of the cost of purchasing one-off tickets.
Read & Run Chicago’s Summer 2025 members had a private tour with author Greg Borzo inspired by his book, Chicago’s Fabulous Fountains!
2. Guaranteed spot at every event
We know life gets busy, and although we announce our upcoming season about a month prior to the first event, you might know in August what your plans are for November. With our All-Access Membership program, you can count on a reserved spot at every event. Confirm you’re coming on the SweatPals app just to give us a heads up, but do it when it’s right for you.
3. Share the love of exploring Chicago with friends and family
One of the best perks of the program? You’ll get a complimentary buddy pass to each month’s Book Club Run. Bring a friend or family member (or love interest? Hmm…) to learn, move, and enjoy a new-to-you neighborhood or topic together.
Raining? Snowing? Cold? You might not feel like running in those conditions, but with a membership you’re already committed. No backing out now!
4. Built-in accountability (that feels more like a hangout than a chore)
Working out or visiting a new Chicago neighborhood or indie bookstore might seem like a good idea in theory, but without someone picking the date, time, and occasion for you, life often gets in the way.
With an All-Access Membership, you’ll have a built-in accountability system to get you out of the house, moving, and finally reading those books on your TBR list.
Each guided run is between three to five miles with stops along the way, so beyond built-in social and exploration time and supporting indie bookstores, libraries, and other small businesses, you also get a workout.
Our regular meetups keep you moving and reading in a social setting.
5. A community that actually feels like one
We’re not a corporate gym. We’re not here to show off, look hot (but history does make us wet…), or prove anything. Read & Run Chicago started out of Allison’s genuine desire to connect with the city and build community in a way that felt natural to her. No other pretension.
And one of our most important tenants? We take our work, people’s stories, and social justice seriously. But what we don’t take seriously? Ourselves.
The readers & runners who spend their free time at our events are curious, active, kind, and dedicated to a better Chicago. This is a low-pressure environment to dive into Chicago’s history and stories and run with a group–maybe for the first time.
Don’t consider yourself a reader? No problem. You just need to love and value stories.
Don’t consider yourself a runner? No problem. You just need to make it until the first stop. If that’s not doable, join by bike, scooter, skateboard, roller blades–whatever mode of transportation gets you to about an 11:00 minute per mile pace.
As a member, you’ll see the same member cohort at each event and have the option to join a members-only WhatsApp chat. In the age of loneliness, one of the best ways to make friends is consistent touch points–and what better than to repeatedly spend time with the same people.
Ready to use movement and stories to explore Chicago?
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.