Running Tour of The Stockyards

Chicago's infamous Union Stockyards inspired Upton Sinclair's The Jungle, provided jobs for millions of Chicagoans and migrants, boosted Chicago's economic and political power, and were hotbed of labor history and struggle.

On this 4-mile, easy-paced (11:00 min/mile) running tour in Back of the Yards/Canaryville with guide John Foley, you'll explore Chicago's past (Hog Butcher to the World!) and possible future (rethinking spaces and resources) inside the Plant. We’ll discuss places like Whiskey Row, the Stockyards, and historic buildings lost to time, as well as examine events like the industrial revolution, unions and strikes in Chicago, the other Democratic National Convention, and a different great fire in Chicago. So much Chicago history is packed in and around the Stockyards! Get ready for some Sandburg, Sinclair, and of course, Slaughterhouse! After our route, we'll meet with John Edel of Packingtown Museum for a discussion and Q&A.

No prior reading required, but as we run routes built by stories you’ll have the chance to purchase the nonfiction book that inspired this route, , at the event!

Here's what else you need to know:

MEET: Meet between 9:45-10:00am on Saturday, September 21 inside The Plant on the second floor at the Packingtown Museum (1400 W. 46th Street). Runners are able to leave personal items (no valuables) in our meeting space during the run.

ROUTE: We will run an easy-paced (11:00 min/mile), ~4-mile route stopping at several locations important in the history of the stockyards inspired by Slaughterhouse. Not planning to run? Cyclists, rollers, rollerblades, scooters, and more welcome (take care of your own safety, please!)

END: After our 4-mile running tour, we'll return for a discussion and Q&A with John Edel. If you love this piece of Chicago history but are unable to join the movement portion of this event, you are able to purchase a ticket for the discussion and Q&A only.

OPTIONAL PREPARE: This event is a running tour and no prior reading is required. The suggested accompanying text and book inspiring this event is Slaughterhouse. Copies will be available for purchase after the event at The Plant's store.

If you'd like to read prior, we encourage you to borrow a copy from your local branch of the Chicago Public Library (here's how to get a card if you don't have one). If you prefer to purchase the book, please visit your favorite indie bookstore (guide John recommends Pilsen Community Books for a new version, or Open Books for used!).

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

About your guide: John (he/him) has been a CPS teacher for 16 years working with a wide array of students and young adults throughout Chicago. He has written and taught curriculums focused on the 1960s Civil Rights Movement, the Vietnam War, and of course, Chicago. He volunteers at the non-profit, Open Books, which promotes literacy throughout the city, he is part of numerous book clubs, and juggles reading at least 5 other books at any given time.

About John Edel: John Edel (he/him) is the Founder and Director of Bubbly Dynamics. A licensed general contractor, Edel coordinates all aspects of design and construction, including the development of smart building technologies and the research agenda behind Bubbly Dynamics’ various projects.

INCLEMENT WEATHER PLAN: If it becomes unsafe to run outside, we will have a discussion and Q&A directly at Packingtown Museum starting at 10:00am. You will be notified via email no later than 8:00am on Saturday, September 21 if there are any changes to the event as listed here.

Read & Run Chicago is a chapter of Read & Run Tours, LLC, 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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