Book Club Run of Becoming

Read & Run Chicago is thrilled to bring Becoming by Michelle Obama to life in partnership with On to celebrate the launch of . This event is all about the shoe that will ENERGIZE YOUR DREAMS. You'll get to demo the Cloudmonster Hyper as you run an easy-paced (11:00 min/mile) 5.3-mile guided route through Bronzeville and Hyde Park, stopping at various locations that shaped Michelle Obama’s trajectory from a South Shore student to a lawyer in the Loop and eventually, FLOTUS!

After the shoe demo and route, join us for a post-run hangout at Boxville for a raffle, coffee, bites, and book sales.

This event is also in collaboration with Fleet Feet Chicago and our bookstore partner, Da Book Joint.

Here are all the details:

MEET: Meet at Boxville (335 E. 51st Street) between 8:30am-8:50am to grab your demo shoes for the run. The program will begin promptly at 9:00am.

ROUTE: We’ll run an easy-paced (~11:00 min/mile) 5.3-mile route route guided by Read & Run Chicago programs manager Fernanda Wetzel. There will be three, five-minute stops along the route related to Michelle Obama’s story and the places that led her to dream and become the woman she is today.

PREPARE: As this is a Book Club Run, it is strongly encouraged to read ahead of time to avoid any spoilers. You can borrow a copy or rent an audio or e-book from your local branch of the Chicago Public Library (here's how to get a card if you don't have one) or purchase from Da Book Joint using this link or your favorite indie bookstore.

POST-RUN: At the end of the route, we’ll end at Boxville (335 E. 51st Street) for a post-run hangout featuring coffee, bites, a raffle, and community. You’ll also be able to purchase Read & Run Chicago merch, buy and other titles by Chiago authors from our bookstore partner Da Book Joint.

INCLEMENT WEATHER PLAN: If it becomes unsafe to run outside, we will have a book club discussion at an indoor space nearby starting at 10:00am. You will be notified via email no later than 8am on Sunday, May 5 if there are any changes to the event.

BIKING THE ROUTE: If you loved Michelle Obama’s Becoming but prefer to bike this route, you are welcome so long as you manage your own safety. We’d still love to have you!

All registered runners will receive reminder details two days and four hours prior to the event.

Read & Run Chicago is a chapter of Read & Run Tours, LLC, the country’s first and only organization that hosts running events inspired by books. Founded in 2021 by queer educator, freelance writer, and runner Allison Yates, the mission of Read & Run Tours, LLC and the city chapters is to use movement and stories to explore locations. Our community-focused run programming includes running tours, book club runs, author talks, and other literary-themed fun runs all inspired by books set in the cities where chapters are located, written by local authors. While connecting runners to the city’s stories, we also actively support literacy programs, public libraries, independent bookstores, and local authors.

In Chicago, we have hosted more than 60 events (in English and Spanish) for over 300 Chicagoans, featuring over 30 authors or local experts, and we have been featured in various media outlets including CNN, Runner’s World, Midwest Living, NBC’s Chicago Today, Fox32 Good Day Chicago, WGN Radio, Block Chicago, and more.

More information at readandrunchicago.com, Instagram, and Facebook.

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Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Boxville, 330 East 51st Street, Chicago, United States