Chicago also offers a slew of activities geared toward making running in the city a social experience.
Running Clubs: [1] Every week, dozens of groups meet to run together
- CARA (Chicago Area Runners Association):
- 30 years-old
- Over 9,000 members
- Tons of training and running opportunities
- Universal Sole:
- Monday night meetings
- Group convenes at the Universal Sole store in Lincoln Park
- Open to all, but meant for more experienced runners
- Lincoln Park Pacers:
- Over 100 members
- Membership encompasses all age groups, including children
- Experience levels are very diverse
- Runs five miles every Saturday at 8 a.m. and Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.
- Frontrunners/Frontwalkers:
- More than 250 members
- Home for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered runners
- Meets twice weekly
- Many social events
- Meets at the totem pole at Addison Street and lakefront path on either Saturday at 9 a.m. or Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.
Running Tours: [2] For travelers or locals without time to devote to weekly meetings, Chicago also houses running tours that promise both to immerse the runner in the city and help them break a sweat.
- Fees:
- $75 per run, up to six miles
- $5 for each additional mile
- 10% for each additional runner registered
- Paths:
- City in a Garden (5.62 miles)
- Tower to Tower (6 miles)
- Run to Wrigley (6.48 miles)
- Devil in the White City (8.1 miles)
Organizations:
- Chicago Run: [3]
- Non-profit organization dedicated to the health and wellness of Chicago’s children
- Founded in December of 2007
- Offers free running programs
- Serves 33 communities
- Aids a varied demographic of children:
- 89% low-income
- 49% African-American
- 43% Latino
- 5% Caucasian
- 2% Asian
- 1% Other
- Chicago Marathon: [4]
- For runners wishing to test their mettle, the Chicago Marathon offers the perfect venue
- The next race is set to take place on October 13th, 2013
- Starts at Columbus Drive and Monroe Street in Grant Park [5]
- 1.7 million spectators
- Runs through 29 varied neighborhoods
- Medical staff on site at over 20 locations
- Course time limit of 6 hours and 30 minutes
- To finish, runners must maintain a 15-minute-mile pace
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Sources:
[1] http://timeoutchicago.com/shopping-style/sports-fitness/90149/top-10-chicago-running-clubs-in-no-particular-order
[2] http://cityrunningtours.com/chicago.html
[3] http://www.chicagorun.org/mission/
[4] http://www.chicagomarathon.com
[5] http://www.forrent.com/tips/city-guides/what-is-grant-park-like