Read & Run Chicago

Read & Run Chicago Read & Run Chicago is a community organization managed under Read & Run Tours.

Founded in 2021, the mission is simple: to use movement and stories to explore Chicago.

📣 Marathon encouragement postcards are back! Are you running the Chicago Marathon?! Let us send you some encouragement b...
09/02/2026

📣 Marathon encouragement postcards are back!

Are you running the Chicago Marathon?! Let us send you some encouragement before your race. 💌👟

Marathon training is tough—but encouragement goes a long way. At Read & Run Chicago, we may not train you for marathons, but we do know stories.

Back in 2022, after a running tour with Olympian Deena Kastor () we started sending pre-race postcards inspired by her memoir. What began as a simple gesture has now become one of our favorite BOA Chicago Marathon traditions.

⁉️ HOW IT WORKS:

1. Tap the ‘Marathon Encouragement Postcard’ link in bio and click ‘Buy Now’. Postcards are FREE for the first 50 respondents. 

2. Fill out the short form, indicating the type of encouragement you respond to (snarky, heartfelt, etc.)

3. Keep working hard and training. You got this!

4. Check your snail mail the week of the marathon to get a surprise. 

‼️ DEADLINE FOR FREE PRE-MARATHON POSTCARDS: Postcards are FREE through SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 at 11:59pm! Submitting by this date also means you’ll receive it before the marathon—when you need it most!

🫂Pass this along to any runner you know who would love to receive a personalized note.

Not running the 2026 Bank of America Chicago Marathon? Submit this form throughout the year for extra love before any big feat. We’re here for you!

Interested in volunteering? We’re also looking for volunteers to help write the postcards. Drop a 🙋🏽‍♀️ in the comments and we’ll get in touch.

📣 Tickets for our first-ever true crime event release in our newsletter next Monday, Sept 7. This Fall 2026 Signature Ev...
08/31/2026

📣 Tickets for our first-ever true crime event release in our newsletter next Monday, Sept 7.

This Fall 2026 Signature Events Season, we’re exploring the theme “Chicago Between the Lines,” the histories and communities that made huge impact, but rarely fit into our city’s mainstream narrative.

Next up 👉 We’re in Uptown on Sunday, September 27 for our Running Tour of Freed to Kill with Gera-Lind Kolarik.

Join us (Tahnee Lacey (she/her) is co-guiding alongside Gera-Lind!) and Gerber/Hart Library & Archives at Haymarket House on Sunday, September 27 for a 3.6-mile running tour or biking tour (s/o BFF Bikes!) of the chilling true crime history in Gera-Lind’s book.

This event is for is for true crime enthusiasts, for sure—but it’s also for Chicagoans, journalists, and the Q***r community.

Along this route, we’re also exploring the disinvestment of Uptown, law authorities, and conditions that allowed Larry Eyler murder at least 21 people. (He confessed to 21, but authorities believe the number to be much higher.) Thanks to Gerber/Hart Library & Archives, we’re also exploring the Q***r newspapers and journalists that spoke out against the murders and worked to keep their communities safe.

After the route, hear a live Q&A with Gera-Lind Kolarik and browse archives from Gerber/Hart Library and Archives.

🚫📚 No pre-reading required due to the potential triggers and sensitive nature of this story. If desired, access the book at your local library branch, e-book via, and on audiobook. Used hard copies will be available to purchase at our Printers Row Lit Fest table.

🚲 Not running? Bike with BFF Bikes. Choose “biking tour” option at checkout.

⏰ Tickets release in the newsletter on Monday, Sept 7. Any remaining tickets will release to the public on Wednesday, Sept. 9. Tap the link in bio to subscribe.

Want to guarantee your spot? Guarantee your spot for this event AND get discounted tickets to all three Fall 2026 signature events (September 27, October 25, and November 15) with a Fall 2026 Events Bundle. On sale now — tap the link in bio!

Learn more about Larry Eyler and Gera-Lind Kolark in the comments. 👇

📣 Fall 2026 signature events announcement! Our signature events are the original Read & Run Tours format that started ri...
08/25/2026

📣 Fall 2026 signature events announcement!

Our signature events are the original Read & Run Tours format that started right here in Chicago—and what we’re most known for: our book-themed guided runs where stories take place.

This Fall, we’re exploring the theme of Chicago Between the Lines: stories that have shaped communities and our city as a whole, beyond the mainstream narrative. 

Join us in Uptown, Little Italy/Pilsen, and Lakeview as we explore the conditions that allowed a serial killer roamed free (and how Q***r community fought back), Mexican and Puerto Rican history, and the Chicago theater defined by q***r youth, Latina artists, and the birth of improv itself.

🗓️ Sunday, Sept. 27: Running/Biking Tour of Freed to Kill with Gera-Lind Kolarik and Gerber/Hart Library and Archives
📍 Haymarket House | Uptown
Perfect for: True crime fans, LGBTQ history buffsSunday,

🗓️ October 25: Running/Biking Tour of Brown in the Windy City with Dr. Lilia Fernández
📍Little Italy and Pilsen
Perfect for: social justice and urban policy advocatesSunday,

🗓️ November 15: Running Tour of Ensemble-Made Chicago
📍Three Avenues Bookshop | Lakeview
Perfect for: theater lovers [Note: No biking tour option for November 15]

READY TO JOIN US!?
Run (or bike 9/27 and 10/25 thanks to BFF Bikes)

🫂 Members: You have a complimentary ticket and guaranteed spot at every signature event—no registration required.

🎟️ Non-members: Purchase one-off tickets (tickets release in the newsletter prior to the event), or guarantee your spot with a ticket bundle. You’ll also get all three signature events at a 30% discount!

Tap the ‘Ticket Bundle’ or ‘Newsletter’ link in bio to purchase your three-pack and subscribe to get early access to one-off tickets!

See ya’ running (or biking!) around.

Looking for bathrooms on the lakefront of about as chic as you’d going to find us S/o Tahnee for her ideas!
08/18/2026

Looking for bathrooms on the lakefront of about as chic as you’d going to find us

S/o Tahnee for her ideas!

08/18/2026

Tonight, Read & Run Chicago volunteers got their flowers! 💐

I invited volunteers from our events, outreach team, and special projects committees were invited to take a flower arranging class with Kim of Bloom & Bliss at the Chinatown Branch of the Chicago Public Library.

I’m so grateful for all of our volunteers who keep runners safe, help plan community programming, and show up to outreach events so more Chicagoans can learn about our programming.

You all make our events and community programming safe and welcoming spaces.

Interested in volunteering? DM to learn more and start!

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