Volunteer
We love our volunteers!
Our volunteers are the face, the heart, and the spirit of Read & Run Chicago. Our work wouldn’t be possible without them.
We lean on the help of volunteers for our public signature events, checking in runners, seting up and tearing down events, and more. We also rely on volunteers to support our fundraising efforts, to participate outreach events, and help us run free community programming in partnership with places like the Chicago Public Library, bookstores across the city, and other small businesses or organizations.
2026 Volunteer Committees
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UPDATE: FULL FOR 2026. The signature events team works directly with the executive director to support our public signature events—our book-themed guided routes where stories take place!
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The Read & Run Chicago Outreach Committee is responsible for supporting Read & Run Chicago’s involvement in public-facing collaborations, such as:
Festivals and Fairs
Community programming with partners
Volunteering for the Bank of America Chicago Distance Series pre, during, and post-race activities
Volunteering at other Chicagoland races
We are still recruiting folks for this role!
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Special Projects Volunteers help the Executive Director develop and plan special projects that align with our mission. For example, our Little Free Library initiatives, free community gatherings, Indie Bookstore Day, and more.
These volunteers are not only be advisors, but help Read & Run Chicago redevelop what we are to the broader Chicago fitness and literary community.
Interested in volunteering?
Submit your information below, and we’ll get in touch when we’re able to train the next cohort of volunteers!
Thank you to our amazing volunteers!
Alli Hanlon
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Tahnee Lacey
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Tom Leddy
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Mary Mapes
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Grace McGann
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Rosie Murphy
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Cat Shieh
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Sophia Upshaw
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Alli Hanlon & Tahnee Lacey & Tom Leddy & Mary Mapes & Grace McGann & Rosie Murphy & Cat Shieh & Sophia Upshaw &
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