RUN CHICAGO

One of Chicago’s largest and most influential run crews, 3RUN2 (pronounced “Three Run Two”) is a free community running club founded in 2013. Based in the Logan Square/Humboldt Park area, it brings together runners of all paces for multiple weekly group runs. Regular meetups include Tuesday 7:00 PM and Thursday 6:30 PM runs (with multiple distance routes, usually 3–6 miles), often ending at a local bar or café for social time. They also host Saturday morning long runs during marathon season. The vibe is urban, inclusive, and hype – music and post-run parties are common. 3RUN2’s motto is about community over competition, and it has become a model for other Chicago crews by showing that running can be a lifestyle and social outlet, not just a workout.

7 on Sundays is a vibrant, community-rooted Black run club based in Bronzeville on Chicago’s South Side. Founded in 2018 by Nike colleagues Ian Gonzalez, Aaron Ingram, and Craig Taylor, they gather every Sunday at 7 AM for a seven-mile “Sunday Service” run, symbolizing both the time and their cultural heritage. What began as a simple commitment to running in their own neighborhood has grown into a spirited crew with 50+ members, united by the motto “No Pace, Just Vibes.” The group is known for its inclusivity, community visibility, and ease in breaking down barriers in Chicago’s running scene, welcoming runners of all backgrounds.

A long-running Pilsen-based run club (est. 1981) that prides itself on being family-friendly and fun. Venados (“deer” in Spanish) meets every Wednesday at 7:00 PM, usually starting and ending at Monochrome Brewing in Pilsen. They run ~3 to 5 miles through the neighborhood, then stick around the brewery for beers and social time. All paces are welcome – pace groups typically range from ~8 min/mile to 12+ min/mile. The club has a casual, welcoming vibe with many Latino members and a focus on community. Their motto is literally “on the run since ’81,” and they’ve helped generations of runners in the Pilsen community. Expect a solid run followed by plenty of cervezas and camaraderie.

An informal morning run crew that doubles as a coffee club. West Town Brew Crew meets every Friday at 6:30 AM at a rotating local coffee shop in Chicago’s West Town neighborhood. The run is an easy-paced 5 km (about 3.1 miles) – nobody is racing, since the goal is to shake off the “Sunday scaries” (their joke) and ease into Friday with friends. In fact, each week one member theatrically tears off a pair of snap-off pants to signal the start of the run (a fun tradition). After the ~30 minute run, the crew rewards themselves with coffee (or sometimes a patio beer when weather permits) at the meetup café. The vibe is ultra-casual and welcoming – perfect for beginners or anyone who wants a social jog before work.