Historic Chicago Bakeries Fun Run: Little Italy

Join Read & Run Chicago's Programs Manager Fernanda Wetzel for our sweetest run. This easy-paced (11:00 min/mile), 4-mile Fun Run through Little Italy inspired by Jennifer Billock’s includes samples from three bakeries, brief Little Italy neighborhood history, and outdoor movement when we need it most (winter!).

Whether you're a seasoned runner or just looking for a fun and unique way to explore the city, this event is perfect for grabbing your running buddies and joining us for a morning filled with history, culture, and of course, delicious pastries.

No prior reading required, but if you'd like to learn more, purchase Historic Chicago Bakeries after the route or online via our Bookshop.org store.

Here's what else you need to know:

MEET: Doors open at Pompei Restaurant (1531 W Taylor) at 10:45am on Sunday, February 23. You'll check-in, write a name tag, and mingle with other readers & runners. Our program will begin promptly at 11:00am and the route will take off by 11:10am. Any late arrivals after 11:10am should wait at the bookstore until the group returns.

TRANSPORTATION:

• Paid street parking (and some free) is available around Pompei. Pompei's parking lot is small, so don't count on finding a spot there!
• Various CTA buses pass near by Pompei (including the 9 that runs on Ashland)
• The easiest Divvy station to use is at Throop & Taylor (1.5 blocks from Pompei)

ROUTE: We will run an easy-paced (11:00 min/mile), ~4-mile route with several stops. Not planning to run? Cyclists, rollers, rollerblades, scooters, and more welcome (take care of your own safety, please!).

END: After the 4-mile guided run, we'll return to Pompei for social time and cookie sampling from all the historic bakeries we just ran to! You'll also have the opportunity to purchase books and if you'd like to purchase savory food or lunch at this time, you'll be able to order from the counter and take back to our private room.

NOTE: If you are planning to join only for the social time portion, plan to arrive at Pompei by 12:15pm-12:30pm.

All registered readers & runners will receive reminder emails and details 2 days and 4 hours prior to the event.

About your guide: Fernanda is an educator, baker, and runner who loves to read, cook, get crafty, and explore new places with her family and friends. She’s originally from Ecuador and has lived in Chicago for 22 years.

INCLEMENT WEATHER PLAN: If it becomes unsafe to run outside, we will hold an alternative version of the event indoors beginning at 11am. You will be notified via email no later than 9am on Sunday, February 23 if there are any changes to the event as listed here.

Read & Run Chicago is a chapter of Read & Run Tours, the country’s first and only organization that hosts running events inspired by books. Founded in 2021 by queer educator, freelance writer, and runner Allison Yates, the mission of Read & Run Tours, LLC and the city chapters is to use movement and stories to explore locations. Our community-focused run programming includes running tours, book club runs, author talks, and other literary-themed fun runs all inspired by books set in the cities where chapters are located, written by local authors. While connecting runners to the city’s stories, we also actively support literacy programs, public libraries, independent bookstores, and local authors.

In Chicago, we have hosted more than 60 events (in English and Spanish) for over 300 Chicagoans, featuring over 30 authors or local experts, and we have been featured in various media outlets including CNN, Runner’s World, Midwest Living, NBC’s Chicago Today, Fox32 Good Day Chicago, WGN Radio, Block Chicago, and more.

More information at readandrunchicago.com, Instagram, and Facebook.

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Host or Publisher Read & Run Chicago