Run, Read, Cheer: Join Read & Run Chicago for Marathon Festivities
By Allison Yates
Christmas comes early for runners—in October. The 2025 Bank of America Chicago Marathon is more than a race; it’s the biggest celebration of the Chicago running community and the culminating event of the Chicago Distance Series.
[Related: Meet the Readers & Runners Racing the 2025 Bank of America Chicago Marathon]
During Chicago Marathon weekend, the city comes alive with events for runners, spectators, and visitors alike. Beyond the official race offerings, you’ll find Chicago run clubs, national running brands, and out-of-town influencers hosting everything from elite runner meet-and-greets to shakeout runs and pop-up shops—all adding to the excitement.
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. From literary-inspired shakeout runs to meetups and cheering squads, we’ve got plenty of ways for you to show up and be part of the celebration.
Here’s how you can join Read & Run Chicago for our special events surrounding the 2025 Bank of America Chicago Marathon.
Read & Run Chicago Marathon Festivities Schedule
Sunday 9/21: Volunteer at the last long run of the season
Sunday 9/21: Deadline to request marathon encouragement postcards
Sunday 10/5: Flyer along the 2025 Bank of America Chicago Marathon course
Tuesday 10/7: Make signs to cheer on marathoners
Friday 10/10: Join Olympian Meb Keflezighi for a Chicago 26.2 shakeout with New Balance and Fleet Feet
Sunday 10/12: Cheer at mile 18.9 with Family Style RC
Monday 10/13: Plogging with Tina Muir
Monday 10/13: Medal Monday Party with Family Style RC
Keep reading for RSVP links and additional details!
Volunteer at the last long run of the season
Date: Sunday, September 21, 5:55 AM
On Sunday, September 21, thousands of marathoners will take on CARA’s Ready to Run 20 Miler, a fully supported point-to-point training run. 🎉 Read & Run Chicago will be at the Belmont Harbor aid station—handing out water, cheering loud, and fueling the excitement as runners gear up for the 2025 Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Come join the fun and help us support Chicago’s running community!
Request a marathon encouragement postcard—or volunteer to write them
Deadline: Sunday, September 21
Read & Run Chicago volunteers write encouragement postcards in September 2024 at Restore Lincoln Park.
Now in its fourth year running, Read & Run Chicago is here to give marathoners an extra boost before the big day.
In 2022, we welcomed running legend Deena Kastor for a special meet-and-greet after our tour of her memoir Let Your Mind Run. At that event, we shared story-based prompts to help runners mentally prepare for race day. That sparked an idea: sending pre-race postcards with similar words of encouragement. And just like that, a tradition was born.
Pre-marathon encouragement postcards are for any runner racing the 2025 Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Whether you’re a first-time marathoner, seasoned veteran, or visiting from afar, we want to encourage you.
The deadline to request a postcard is Sunday, September 21.
Not running the marathon but want to support? Volunteer to write postcards with us.
Shop at Foursided for sweaty ponytales cards
Ongoing
You can find our favorite greeting card company at our favorite gifts store in Chicago—Foursided!
Visit Foursided’s Andersonville location to scope out sweaty ponytales greeting cards to congratulate a runner before or after the marathon. sweaty pontyales cards are for every mile you’ve cursed, cried, or crushed—their greeting cards speak fluent runner. Snarky, Bold Unapologetic. Just like you. Learn more on their website.
Volunteer to flyer along the 2025 Bank of America Chicago Marathon course
Date: Sunday, October 5, 6:00 AM
Each year, Read & Run Chicago partners with the Bank of America Chicago Marathon team to spread the word about race-day logistics—helping neighbors stay informed about road closures and parking restrictions.
On Sunday, October 5, join us for a casual run or walk along our assigned section of the course as we place flyers on cars with helpful information.
It’s a simple but meaningful way to support the marathon community. Whether you’re racing this year or have crossed the finish line in the past, this is a perfect chance to give back and pay the spirit forward!
Join our marathon sign-making to cheer on book-loving friends and family at the 2025 Bank of America Chicago Marathon
Date: Tuesday, October 7, 6:30 PM
Cheering is an endurance sport of its own—and no spectator is complete without a creative, unexpected bookish sign in hand. Join Read & Run Chicago for a Marathon Sign-Making Party as we get ready to support runners in the 2025 Bank of America Chicago Marathon.
We’ll provide Best Day Brewing NA beers and the inspiration, and you bring the markers, poster boards or repurposed cardboard boxes. Think “Plot Twist: You’re Awesome” or “I see your main character energy!”—the kinds of cheer signs that bookish runners love to see when they’re hitting our cheer zone at mile 18.9.
Whether you’re cheering for a friend, a family member, or just want to support the Chicago running community, this is your chance to gather with fellow book lovers and runners, get creative, and craft signs that will bring laughs and smiles to race day.
26 Marathons by Meb Keflezighi.
Preview the Bank of America Chicago Marathon Course with Olympian Meb Keflezighi
Date: Friday, October 10, 8:00 AM
Join Read & Run Chicago, New Balance, and Fleet Feet Chicago for a one-of-a-kind shakeout run inspired by Olympian and Boston Marathon champion Meb Keflezighi’s book, 26 Marathons. The first 100 runners to arrive will also receive a free copy.
After the run, enjoy MUSH and a book signing and photo opp with Meb! Experience exclusive giveaways from SaltStick and sweaty ponytales, community, and more in this unforgettable morning.
[Related: The Best Books About Running to Read While You’re Marathon Training, According to Chicago Run Club Leaders]
Bringing Meb’s running journey to life, our route puts you in the heart of the Chicago 26.2 experience and learning directly from one of the most accomplished male distance runners in U.S. history. Whether you’re running the marathon or a casual runner, both Chicagoans and visitors alike will be inspired by this shakeout run like no other.
Get tickets here:
[Related: Chicago Readers & Runners Race the Chicago Distance Series in the Entries for Equity Program]
Cheer on runners at mile 18.9 of the 2025 Bank of America Chicago Marathon
Date: Sunday, October 12, 7:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Join Read & Run Chicago and Family Style RC for the ultimate cheering squad at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon—the biggest race of the year!
Bring your food, your signs, and your energy, and get ready for music, laughter, and good vibes all around. Track your favorite runners, invite everyone you know, and let’s brighten the course with our book-themed signs that are sure to make people smile.
We’ll be in Pilsen just around mile 18.9, so you can guarantee the runners will be ready for our hilarious and energetic cheering.
Readers & runners plogging after the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle in March 2025.
Plogging with activist Tina Muir
Date: Monday, October 13, 9:00 AM
Join Read & Run Chicago as we show up for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon and environmental advocate Tina Muir for a postrace plogging eventon Monday, October 13 in Grant Park. Plogging is a combination of the Swedish term plocka upp (to pick up) and the English word jog.
Individuals who join us for the 3K/1.86 mile run/walk will learn more about plogging and how we can pair our passion for running and walking with environmental stewardship to enhance our communities. As we look for more ways to take care of the planet and the people on it, this is an easy and fun way to do our part. [Source: Eventbrite]
Medal Monday Party
Date: Monday, October 13, Time TBD
To celebrate the end of the marathon festivities, join Read & Run Chicago and Family Style RC for a “Medal Monday” party—a gathering used to celebrate the medal you earned at the race over the weekend—to soak up all your success. Whether you have a medal to don or not, you’re welcome here!