Photo by Kyle Nowaczyk of Allison (right) and some of her Read & Run group.
By Marnie Kunz | USATF & RRCA Certified Run Coach, NASM CPT
Published November 2, 2026
Running has a unique way of bringing creative people together. I met Allison Yates, the founder of Read & Run Chicago, through Chicago Art Runners, and we instantly bonded over our love of books, running, and urban exploration. We went for a run in Dumbo when she was visiting NYC and got to connect on all things running related. Allison is currently working on expanding her group’s reach and commitment to the Chicago running and literary community, and she sat down to discuss her unique running community. Here is our conversation:
Q & A with Read & Run Chicago Founder Allison Yates
What inspired you to create Read & Run Chicago?
Allison Yates: We all have a pandemic story, and the origins of Read & Run Chicago are mine. I was one of the lucky people to work from home, which, like others, upended my life as it was. Instead of being out and about at all hours of the day, I was home, finally with time to get through my TBR list and running became my main activity (and one of the only chances I had to safely see others). While I was reading so many books set in Chicago, I’d start to feel differently about Chicago while on my runs. I started to feel like I was moving through history, noticing the stories, and becoming more and more curious about learning more. One day, I decided to go out and run to the places I’d been reading about, and the concept was born–what we now refer to as our signature events. Since then, we’ve grown beyond only hosting signature events, and now also have a growing focus on neighborhood economic development, health, and literacy.
Today, the signature event format is managed by my business, Read & Run Tours. Besides being able to experience that event format in Chicago through Read & Run Chicago, readers & runners can also join events across the U.S. through Read & Run on the Road, independently-organized events under a license from Read & Run Tours.
If you had to describe the spirit of Read & Run Chicago in just five words, what would they be?
Allison: Great question! Welcoming, silly, thoughtful, intentional, and meaningful.
Looking for the Best Running Routes in Chicago?
Check out Allison Yates' complete guide to exploring the Windy City on foot, featuring top trails, scenic lakefront paths, and neighborhood routes.
Read the Chicago Running Guide →Redefining Chicago Running Culture Through Literature
Looking back at when you first launched versus where you are today, what has surprised you about how the Chicago running community responded to book-inspired neighborhood tours?
Read & Run Chicago brings runners and book lovers together.
Allison: When I started hosting this specific event format and calling them Read & Run Chicago events back in 2021, I was disillusioned with the running space I was in. Don’t get me wrong–I LOVE all of the people that I ran with (and still run with many of them today), but I didn’t feel very me. I’m someone who runs for my mental health, to be with others, and to connect with my surroundings, not focus on time, pace, or other outputs that never felt quite attainable to this girl who hated gym class and preferred to read. When I started hosting events, I wasn’t sure how many people who ran would also be on board with a different approach to running.
As it turns out, I had nothing to fear–over the last five and a half years, I have met so many more people than I ever imagined who would share the same approach to interacting with the world and using running for something other than exclusively physical fitness. As Read & Run Chicago grew, the world did, too. We have such a more diverse, inclusive, and creative running space than when I started, and it’s such an honor to contribute to that changing culture.
Running can be such a powerful tool for exploring a city beyond our usual daily routes. How do you select the books, neighborhoods, and local stories you feature on your tours to help runners see Chicago through a new lens?
Allison: Absolutely! The thing is, most people (not even most Chicagoans) understand how much literature is set here in Chicago. We highlight stories of all kinds, but for us, some of the most important books for helping runners see Chicago through a new lens are the ones that correct misconceptions, tell stories that aren’t part of the city’s mainstream narrative, and focus on communities beyond Chicago’s most affluent neighborhoods. And beyond that, some books just aren’t “runnable.” We take great care and intention in making sure that a book will teach us about Chicago, its communities, and its history, and for a greater purpose of helping us connect better with the city.
Learn more about our books here.
Community Impact: Little Free Libraries, Race Mentorship, & Literacy
Meeting and talking with local authors offers a unique experience for Read & Run Chicago participants.
Read & Run Chicago does incredible work in addition to your group runs. What are some of the initiatives you’ve created to help the Chicago community?
Allison: Thank you so much! Outside of Read & Run Chicago’s signature events, we also are
Little Free Libraries: We opened Little Free Libraries, (our first one opened in the Gage Park neighborhood last summer!) and routinely pass out free books at community events like farmers markets and health fairs.
Public Library Partnerships: We launched a program with the Chicago Public Library and Books with Betsy to promote library card sign-ups and encourage residents to visit new neighborhoods.
Bookstore Run Crawls: We host annual Independent Bookstore Day run crawls to support local small businesses.
First-Time Race Mentorship: We mentor first-time runners racing the Chicago Distance Series who have traditionally felt unwelcome in endurance spaces, including BIPOC runners, the LGBTQ+ community, and runners facing financial hardship.
Book Donations: We accept book donations at all of our events to support non-profit partners like Open Books Chicago and Chicago Books to Women in Prison.
We’re always on the move, so look out for what’s to come!
Which recent milestone has felt the most rewarding for you personally, and why?
Allison: It’s been an incredibly rewarding experience to watch the concept–one that came from the heart and personally and professionally has changed my life–continue to grow, impact so many Chicagoans, and create friendships, experiences, and connections.
So naturally, it’s hard to choose just one milestone, but if I had to pick one, it would be in 2023 when Read & Run Chicago hosted a signature event with Rebecca Makkai inspired by The Great Believers.
It continues to be one of my proudest moments of event planning, logistics, and believing so much in something that I was willing to do anything to watch it come to life. I got my first-ever sponsorships, donated ticket sales to Gerber/Hart Library and Archives, the largest LGBTQ library and archives in the Midwest, orchestrated to have real-life AIDS activists pop-up at spots around the Lakeview neighborhood to share their real-life experiences of working in Chicago in the early 1980s when the book was set, and ended with a meaningful and intimate conversation with a New York Times bestselling author. I cried, like, ten times during that event.
Maintaining Accessible Programming & The Vision for 2027
You’ve made it a core priority to keep your events free or low-cost so that price is never a barrier to a healthy, connected lifestyle. What are some of the biggest challenges of maintaining accessible programming, and what keeps you motivated to keep showing up for your community?
Allison: One of the biggest barriers to maintaining accessible programming has been funding and time. We built Read & Run Chicago from scratch without funding or investors, and it’s been an incredible labor of love on my part and all of the dedicated volunteers we have, but it can only take us so far. We’ve worked as hard as we can to expand as much as we can on a shoestring budget, but our growth depends on our ability to hire full-time staff and secure additional resources. Staff and financial resources would help us can widen our reach, contract authors and speakers at equitable rates, take chances on new stories and coach up-and-coming authors on promoting their books in IRL settings, expand access to reading, mentor more Chicagoans through their first races, economically invest in underfunded neighborhoods, and so much more.
What keeps me motivated is knowing that with zero budget, our team has built a lot and impacted so many people, businesses, and authors. We’ve had hundreds of Chicagoans attend our programs, we’ve funneled ticket sales into food from small businesses owned by BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and women, donated proceeds from merch sales to causes we care about, uplifted people and organizations positively impacting Chicago, and most importantly, we’ve created a space for a different kind of social outing. It’s wholesome, intentional, and unlike anything else!
You’ve set a goal to raise $45,000 by December 31, 2026, to support future programming, internships, and community events. How will these funds support Read & Run Chicago’s mission in the coming year?
Allison: Every dollar we raise in this campaign will directly fund our public community programming:
Expanding Literacy Access: Funding book giveaways, subsidizing ticket prices for signature events, and installing new Little Free Libraries in high-need neighborhoods.
Fair Author & Speaker Compensation: Ensuring local writers, historians, and speakers are fairly compensated for sharing their expertise.
Local Business & Writer Partnerships: Expand our partnerships with local businesses.
We have so many amazing public programs in the works that simply aren’t possible without funding.
What is your vision for the future of Read & Run Chicago?
Allison: With everything happening in the United States today, it’s so incredibly important to continue to work towards building shared experiences that help us understand each other. Reading a story about someone is important, but it’s just the first step. Reading a story about someone, and then having someone guide you through understanding more deepens your connection to that community, culture, or history and then has the power to create empathy and inspire change. It’s my hope that our programming in Chicago continues to foster these connections and continue to reinforce the idea that every story matters and is worthy of attention, not just what’s been traditionally seen as important.
Beyond this, the literacy numbers are quite alarming–some stats point to at least 30% of Illinois residents unable to read or write. One of the most beautiful things about watching new folks interact with Read & Run Chicago is the way they’ve been inspired to read after meeting an author or feeling impacted after learning the history of a specific neighborhood in real life. They may not identify as a “reader, but can appreciate the avenue books provide us to connect. It’s one of my dreams to transform these beautiful things about our programming into new opportunities to help folks with literacy.
In order to sustain and expand our work, we’ll need more resources. The dream, the vision, and the drive are already there–we just need the funding and staff!
How to Support Read & Run Chicago
Want to join a literary run, donate a book, or contribute to their community campaign?
Donate to the Campaign: Support their mission directly on the Read & Run Chicago Fractured Atlas Page.
Follow on Social: Stay updated on upcoming Chicago runs and book crawls at @readandrunchicago on Instagram, Read & Run Chicago on Facebook, and @read.run.tours on TikTok.
Explore Reading Lists & Tours: Visit readandrunchicago.com to check out upcoming events and featured titles.
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