We’re Looking For Volunteers This Fall!
This fall, Read & Run Chicago will be participating in several outreach initiatives, and we need your help!
If you’ve ever wanted to volunteer with Read & Run Chicago but haven’t been able to dedicate time to one of our formal committees, we have the perfect opportunity for you to give back, whether you identify as a runner or not.
If you love our mission and want to support our efforts to show up for the reading and running community of Chicago, we hope you consider signing up. Share with friends, family, professional networks—all are welcome!
Here are the one-off volunteer opportunities with Read & Run Chicago this fall.
CARA Ready to Run 20 Miler
Sunday, September 20 at 5:55 AM
Belmont Harbor, Lakeview
Join Read & Run Chicago as we volunteer at CARA's Ready to Run 20 miler, an annual event marking the most mileage for runners training for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon! We're assigned to Aid Station #3 at Belmont Harbor. Let's cheer on our readers & runners and support all Chicago runners tackling this distance.
Chicago Half Marathon (Pre-Race)
Thursday, September 24 from 3-7 PM
Navy Pier
Join us as we support the Chicago Half Marathon. We’ll be supporting the goody bag stuffing for the packet pickup expo at Navy Pier (2600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, Illinois 60611) on Thursday, September 24 from 3-7 PM. Volunteer perks include an event specific volunteer shirt, water, snacks, a light meal, service hours, and more.
Marathon Encouragement Postcard Writing
Tuesday, September 29 at 7:30 PM
Jennivee’s Bakery (Lakeview)
Read & Run Chicago is BACK with our fifth year of Bank of America Chicago Marathon encouragement postcards! Join us at Jennivee’s Bakery (2925 N Halsted in Lakeview) to write postcards to the runners who requested them before Chicago 26.2 on October 11, 2026.
Join us as a volunteer, writing postcards to those that submit requests, or join us to purchase postcards and send to friends and family (marathon related or not!). Learn more about marathon encouragement postcards here. Want to receive a postcard? Request it here.
Marathon Course Flyering
Sunday, October 4 from 5:30-8:30 AM
Lakeview (Zone 1 of the marathon)
Join Read & Run Chicago for our third year in a row support the Bank of America Chicago Marathon! We have five readers & runners racing on behalf of Read & Run Chicago, so let’s make sure they have as safe a marathon as possible.
Course flyering is part of the Bank of America team’s Outreach Program. Parked cars and vehicles on the course and adjoining streets are notified of street closures and traffic restrictions (by placing flyers on vehicles). This ensures a safe and clear course on race day for participants. The notice also allows residents and non-residents to make alternate plans so they can have a safe and successful day as well.
Registration link coming soon.
Chicago Turkey Trot (Pre-Race)
Monday, November 23 from 1-5 PM
New City (1511 N Halsted)
Join us as we support the Chicago Turkey Trot. We’ll be supporting setup for packet pickup. Volunteer perks include an event specific volunteer shirt, water, snacks, a light meal, service hours, and more.
Register to volunteer here: https://www.givepulse.com/reservation/claim/i/rWzdnfn1BTdWUagIjc36