Chicago to Offer Free Community Running Races This Summer
The events aim to build communities and encourage active lifestyles through running.
A collaboration between the City of Chicago, the Chicago Park District and the Chicago Area Runners Association came to fruition last weekend with the start of the ‘Go Run program—a free organized, timed 1-mile and 5K run held at three parks around the city.
The objective of ‘Go Run is to activate neighborhood parks and strengthen communities by encouraging an active lifestyle through running. Last Saturday was the first event, and events will take place each of the next seven Saturday mornings concurrently at Humboldt Park, Warren Park and Washington Park in Chicago. The 1-mile and 5K race courses are entirely within the parks.
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“The first ‘Go Run was exactly what we hoped… organic, fun, free and diverse. We were pleased to see such great support from our running community. We had a large volunteer turnout with support from local high schools, running clubs, and community-minded individuals. ‘Go Runs are a long-term advocacy program for our communities and CARA is pleased to have the support of these organizations to make ‘Go Runs go in our neighborhoods and parks” said CARA’s Executive Director, Edward Zylka.
Participants and volunteers can sign-up online at CARAruns.org (choose ‘Go Run on the menu bar) or before the run each Saturday between 8:15 a.m. and 8:45 a.m. The runs are at 9 a.m. each Saturday.
“At CARA we often talk about the ‘power of the group’, and getting people running and volunteering together in their neighborhood parks is a perfect way to foster a greater sense of community, which is at the core of our mission as a non-profit,” CARA President Anne Baker said. “Looking ahead we plan to expand ‘Go Run to more Chicago Park District locations and throughout our entire Chicago area membership area.”