Running Tour of Running While Black

Jumping off from Alison Mariella Désir's memoir , this event will talk about the experience of Black runners in Chicago, both historically and currently—including running groups, connections to the Chicago Marathon, and recent efforts to make the local running community more inclusive/welcoming to all.

Here's what else you need to know:

MEET: Meet between 9:40-10:00am at Stretch Lab South Loop (1351 S Michigan). Our program begins promptly at 10:00am and the route begins at 10:10am.

ROUTE: We will run an easy-paced (11:00 min/mile), ~5-mile route stopping at several locations relevant to the story of Black runners in Chicago, past and present.

Not planning to run? Cyclists, rollers, rollerblades, scooters, and more welcome (take care of your own safety, please!) as long as you can maintain an 11:00 min/mile speed.

END: After the running tour, we'll end at Stretch Lab South Loop (1351 S Michigan) for snacks and social time. All attendees will also receive a free hardcover of the memoir at this time.

NO PRIOR READING: As this is a running tour, readers & runners are not expected to read/listen to the memoir ahead of time. If you'd like to, we encourage you to borrow a copy from your local library (here's how to get a Chicago Public Library card if you don't have one). If you prefer to purchase the book prior to the run, visit your favorite indie bookstore or use our Bookshop.org store to buy online.

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

About your :

Carla Benton (she/her/hers) is a Chicago-based runner and book copy editor. Though she edits books across all genres, she has contributed to several running titles, including those by Peter Sagal, Becky Wade, Ed Caesar, Deena Kastor, Alison Mariella Désir, Lauren Fleshman, and Kara Goucher. A solo travel enthusiast, Carla loves meeting new runner friends by checking out local running clubs in other countries.

Cindy Kuzma is a freelance writer, author, and podcaster in Chicago. She writes frequently about running for Runner’s World and other outlets, has co-authored two books, and co-hosts the Injured Athletes Club podcast. She has also completed 23 marathons, including four in Chicago.

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 8am on Sunday, October 20 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