Chicago Readers & Runners Race the Chicago Distance Series in the Entries for Equity Program
Read & Run Chicago volunteer Francisco cheering at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon 2025.
By Allison Yates
While at Read & Run Chicago our events primarily use casual running (and reading) as a tool to explore Chicago and to better understand ourselves, each other, and our built environment, many of our community members are part of the broader Chicago running community and participate in organized races.
The most important racing series in the Windy City is the Bank of America Chicago Distance Series, three races of varying—and building—distances throughout the year, starting with the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K in March, the Bank of America Chicago 13.1 in June, and the culminating event, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon in October.
[Related: Meet the Readers & Runners Racing the 2026 Bank of America Chicago Distance Series]
This year, Read & Run Chicago was chosen again to take part in the Bank of America Chicago Distance Entries for Equity program. As part of this program, organizations that support the the running, sport and movement community and have values around diversity, equity and inclusion were allotted complimentary entries to each of the three Chicago races in this series. Read & Run Chicago is honored and thrilled to be recognized as an organization creating a positive community impact and be able to support readers & runners as they tackle these races in 2026.
In order to support the readers & runner racing this series, we’ll use this blog post for updates on our racing readers & runners and how our broader community can support them.
2025 Bank of America Chicago Marathon reader & runner Rukhsana Iqbal.
Bank of America Chicago Marathon | Sunday, October 12, 2026
Read & Run Chicago has five runners racing the Bank of America Chicago Marathon this year! Stay tuned for more information this fall about how you can be involved in cheering them on.
Bank of America Chicago 13.1 | Sunday, June 7, 2026
Readers & runners cheering at the 2025 Bank of America Chicago 13.1.
This year’s Bank of America Chicago 13.1will be a great one! Here’s how you can cheer them on and stay involved in the weekend’s happenings:
Gear: Wear your Read & Run Chicago gear while you cheer or race. As long as you’re not mean to people or do something terrifically stupid while you wear it, we’re delighted for you to represent! Need to purchase? Buy it online here.
Shakeout run: Join us and Family Style RC at Scratch Goods (127 N Peoria) on Saturday, June 6 at 9:00 AM for a three-mile shakeout run through Union Park, the gateway to the West Side! Stick around for snacks, drinks, and a special send off to our Entries for Equity runners. RSVP here.
Cheer Station: Join us and Family Style RC at our cheer zone around Mile 5.9 (runners left) and 12.5 (runners right)! We invite the entire Read & Run Chicago community to join us in celebrating our Entries for Equity team. We’ll set up by 7:00 AM, so join anytime after that.
West Side Wellness Events on June 6: Join the Bank of America Chicago 13.1 team for a celebration of wellness in partnership with the West Side communities, including a walk, youth run, and more. Information and registration here.
Post half marathon celebration: Reader & runner Lesly’s post-half marathon tradition is celebrating with a torta from Doña Torta Chilanga on Cermak. We’ll be joining her there!
Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K | Sunday, March 22, 2025
This year’s Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle is on Sunday, March 22, 2026. Here’s how you can stay involved with Read & Run Chicago throughout the weekend.
Cynthia and Tahnee at the 2025 Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K. The race sees an average of 30,000 runners. Credit: Family Style Run Club.
Course flyering: Volunteer with us on Sunday, March 15 to alert neighbors of upcoming road closures before the big race weekend! Read & Run Chicago is assigned to “Zone C.” Register using this link.
Plogging: Volunteer at the "Plogging" event on Saturday, March 21, led by Tina Muir, the host of the Running for Real podcast. It's a great opportunity to combine fitness, community, and environmental action. If you're interested in participating, please register using this link.
Gear: Wear your Read & Run Chicago gear while you cheer or race. As long as you’re not mean to people or do something terrifically stupid while you wear it, we’re delighted for you to represent! Need to purchase? Buy it online here.
Cheer Station: We’re joining the Family Style RC cheer station at the corner of Harrison and Plymouth on the runner’s right.