Event Types
Whether you’re a nature lover, history buff, or want to sample delicious Chicago foods, our events bring stories to life and connect you to the city.
All programming includes a guided, literary-themed run followed by a post-route discussion, author Q&A, or lecture with an expert and some light bites at a locally-owned café, restaurant, food truck, or bar. Explore our event types below.
Running Tours
All of our running tours are inspired by books set in Chicago! Runners will learn history and fun facts about Chicago, the author, the book, and of course, all the insider scoops! You can expect to stop at two-three sites relevant to the book for information on history and context. Most tours include a post-run, in-person or virtual Q&A with the book author or a relevant expert to add depth to runners’ understanding.
This Event Is Perfect For:
Busy readers and runners (no prior reading required).
Chicago history lovers and fun fact enthusiasts (most running tours are inspired by non-fiction books).
Those who want to sit back and take in information–these are our least interactive runs.
Book Club Runs
Book Club Runs are inspired by books set in Chicago. Runners are strongly encouraged to read the book inspiring the route to have the best experience. Any stops along the route and discussion will focus on the story itself and runners’ reactions. Our guides may bring the book to life through a variety of ways, including foods characters ate, locations characters spent time at, archives and real-life parallel, and other items to enhance our understanding of the story.
This Event Is Perfect For:
Readers and runners who love to discuss a book–what you liked, what you didn’t like, how it made you feel. Sometimes questions along the route get personal, but you never have to answer if you don’t want to!
Readers and runners looking to talk to new people–this is our most interactive programming!
Fiction fans (most book club runs are inspired by fiction).
Trail Runs
These are routes that take place on trails (paved, crushed gravel, dirt, rock, etc.), and no prior reading is required.
This Event Is Perfect For:
Readers and runners who have had enough of the concrete–let’s see some plants!
Readers and runners who prefer not to read before showing up.
Those who are willing to travel a bit more (by public transportation or car) for (trail) runs built by stories. Sometimes these runs take place outside of Chicago city limits.
Fun Runs
Fun Runs feature local authors; “fun” topics like food, drink, local points of interest, or funny topics; and are an opportunity for readers and runners to build community. These runs are more likely to have one or no stops, with information provided at the beginning and end of the run. These runs can also be followed by another activity that aligns well, like a run to a historic bakery followed by cookie decorating at a locally-owned, woman-owned bake shop. No prior reading is required.
This Event Is Perfect For:
Someone here for the fun facts rather than the in-depth information.
Someone looking for “lighter” content–some examples of Fun Runs have included our bakery series, scavenger hunts, pizza tastings, and more.
Readers and runners looking to find new and unexpected parts (or foods) in the city–and want to use movement to explore them.
