Read & Run Chicago helps Chicagoans better understand themselves, each other, and the places they live through stories and movement. We believe Chicagoans deserve opportunities to explore neighborhoods beyond their own. We believe local bookstores, libraries, and small businesses are essential for communities to thrive. And we believe that all stories – whether in books, photography, oral history, or everyday lived experience – can help us become better neighbors and people.

Over the past five years, our community has grown into something bigger than runs. We’ve hosted book-inspired neighborhood tours, community book swaps, bookstore field trips, and mentorship opportunities that invite people to move their bodies, stay curious, and get in touch with parts of Chicago they may have never explored otherwise. We’ve also worked hard to keep these experiences accessible. We regularly subsidize tickets, host free events, and intentionally keep costs low because we never want price to be a barrier to participation.

Your gift will go directly towards:

If Read & Run Chicago has introduced you to a new neighborhood, a new bookstore, a new friend, or a new story, we hope you’ll consider supporting this next chapter.

Chicago is full of stories worth discovering, and we hope you’ll keep exploring with us.