At Chicago Run, we believe movement is a right, not a privilege. But today, the starting line isn’t equal for everyone.
Beyond the pavement, movement is a cornerstone of a young person's future. Regular physical activity is essential for healthy development, building strong bones and muscles while reducing the long-term risk of chronic disease. The impact is equally profound off the field: consistent movement supports improved cognition, mental health, and academic achievement. By participating in structured programs, youth gain critical life skills—like leadership, goal setting, and relationship-building—that stay with them long after the finish line.
Unfortunately, youth sports in the United States increasingly depend on family income. Across the U.S., families spend $1,000–$5,000 annually for a teen to join a club or travel team—a cost that’s risen 46% since 2019. When physical activity is locked behind a rising price tag, too many young people are left on the sidelines.
This national trend hits home in Chicago, where nearly half of our youth live in “low child opportunity areas.” For decades, systemic disinvestment has targeted the communities carrying this label, leaving essential resources required for healthy development—safe parks, funded programs, and accessible equipment—scarce.
By partnering directly with schools and community organizations, we meet youth where they are. We remove the financial and geographic obstacles to ensure every young person—regardless of their zip code or family income—can experience the transformative joy and lasting benefits of structured running programs.
We are a community of supportive coaches, passionate advocates, and peer cheerleaders dedicated to empowering the next generation of Chicagoans.
Why We Do It
Our Core Values
Chicago Run utilizes the following core values as operating principles across all aspects of our work – internal operations, program implementation and partnerships, and strategy creation. We believe that they set the foundation for, and are critical to, achieving our mission.
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Thoughtful Impact
We believe meaningful impact should guide our strategy.
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Curiosity
We value growth and a commitment to ongoing learning -from program evaluation, to staff professional development, to a culture of providing feedback.
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Collaboration
We believe that fostering relationships and working collaboratively is critical to our work, both internally and externally. We believe in the agency of our communities, and we work to actively partner with youth and communities in program implementation. We also believe that effective communication is critical to collaboration.
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Equity
We understand that the need for our work. providing inclusive access to running and physical activity programming, stems from fundamental inequities in our communities, and are committed to promoting equity across all facets of our work.
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Health
We are invested in the health and well-being of our youth, staff, and broader communities. We believe in addressing every aspect of wellness inclusive of mental health and social and emotional well-being.