Join Read & Run Chicago and Street Fight author Anne Morrisy for a 5-mile running route inspired by her gripping account of the 1920s Chicago taxi wars, a lesser-acknowledged historical period that had lasting impacts on Chicago business, labor relations, and the way we traverse the Windy City. Along this route, we'll stop at various sites relevant to the three major players in this drama: Yellow Cab, the Hotel La Salle and Checker Taxi. After the route, enjoy an intimate discussion with Anne, book sales and signing, plus snacks and drinks.
No prior reading required, but if you'd like to learn more, purchase Street Fight at the event or order online through our Bookshop.org link.
MEET: Doors open at at the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel's Stagg Court (12 S Michigan) at 10:45am on Saturday, January 25. 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 Chicago Athletic Association Hotel until the group returns.
TRANSPORTATION
The Chicago Athletic Association Hotel is offering event attendees valet parking for a discounted flat rate of $22. If you plan to drive to the event and would like take advantage of this offer, please indicate at check out. If you take this option, you'll enter through the side door off Madison Street.
There are a variety of public transportation options to arrive at the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel: Metra and South Shore Line both have nearby stations, and the CTA Brown, Pink, Orange, Green, and Purple lines all stop at nearby Adams/Wabash station. Alternativily, numerous CTA bus lines go down Michigan Avenue.
The nearest Divvy station is located across the street in Millennium Park.
ROUTE: We will run an easy-paced (11:00 min/mile), ~5-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 5-mile guided run, we'll return to the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel's Stagg Court (12 S Michigan) for a discussion with Anne, plus book sales and signing, snacks and drinks.
NOTE: If you are planning to join only for the discussion portion, please plan to arrive at Stagg Court by 12:45pm.
All registered readers & runners will receive reminder emails and details 2 days and 4 hours prior to the event.
About Anne Morrissy: Anne Morrissy is a nonfiction writer with a passion for narrative history. Since 2021, she has served as the editor of At The Lake Magazine in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Her writing has appeared in the Wisconsin Magazine of History, American Spirit Magazine, and many other local and regional publications. She is the author of Running the Reds: The First 100 Years of the Water Safety Patrol, 1920-2020. A graduate of Kenyon College, she splits her time between Chicago and Williams Bay, Wisconsin.
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 Saturday, January 25 if there are any changes to the event as listed here.