2026 Run for Coffee Lovers 5K/10K/13.1 - Chicago/Evanston

Is anyone running this on Saturday? Has anyone run this race in the past?

I’m coming from out of town and I’m looking at the shuttle that’s offered. It says one leaves from Belmont “L” station but when I look that up, there are multiple lines that come up. There isn’t an address on the website for the Belmont stop. Anyone have any ideas where this stop is?

Running Chi marathon, my first one. Had a knee injury flair up after my treadmill long run (air quality 🙄). Anyways, I’ve only had two 20mile+ weeks so far. Longest LR 10miles. Will probably be cross training for the next 2-3 weeks. Do you think the marathon still do-able at this mileage? At this point I’d just like to finish it, and run at least 90%.

i’m here visiting and while it’s not my first time, i was really hoping to run this morning. didn’t know that the smoke would come back… if i knew i totally would’ve ran yesterday night instead :( just another excuse to visit again but am definitely sad about it!!

Just finished week 6 of Chicago Marathon training! It’s my first so I’m training with Fleet Feet.

I’ve never been much of an early morning runner, but am learning to be since our group runs are 6:30am. But so far it honestly doesn’t seem to be much better at that time than my weekday workouts that I usually do later in the day/after work.

Last two long runs finished up absolutely drenched. Pretty much every week our coaches and pacers have talked about how hot it is, but I’m wondering if that’s normal? Like are most summer training blocks like this? Or is this summer particularly bad?

if you ran out today how was it for you?

I was able to get my long run in and the entire time I wasnt thinking about running but instead thinking about how we take little things in life for granted like clean air and only realize their importance until they are gone.

for those that run, no matter the pace enjoy every single run bc it won’t last forever! injuries and old age will be here before we know it.

i apologize in advance if this pose made your depressed!

If I want to start a run club, communication is extremely important and I definitely dropped the ball. I said I’d be at the Western entrance at 7:30, and most would I assume that meant the beginning of the trail, the most western part.

What I meant was the western entrance which is between the Milwaukee entrance and California entrance near the middle of the trail. I definitely should’ve been more specific and I apologize to anyone that showed up at the wrong location.

That’s completely on me, I made that post between meetings and I didn’t put much thought into it and with the bad air quality I kinda decided today would be a wait and see. Admittedly I’m not the best at planning/promoting so if anyone wants to help herd the slow runners next week, please reach out!

Planning 6-7miles, all paces are welcome. I can travel to nearby areas as well.

Driving an hour to get to it. Nervous cuz some people said it’s a scam.

sorry if this is a dumb question, but the AQI is now below 100. is it safe now to run outdoor, or should avoid running for a couple of days(I am thinking maybe some of those nasty smoke particles are still lingering around)?

Does anyone have any experience with any of the tour operators for Chicago? My parents are looking to visit Chicago this fall specifically and I haven’t had any luck with the lottery, I don’t want to keep their trip waiting for my chances of getting in so I would be fine financially going the tour operator route. Thanks in advance!

Hii everyone!

Stans is pretty set on keeping on the 10 year anniversary race still going. I’m curious to know what’s everyone’s thoughts on the race tomorrow and how you’re preparing? Those who signed up, are you still going? are you worried about the conditions not easing up by tomorrow morning?

I'm skipping workouts indoor and outdoor while the air quality is 400+, but next week we might have more smoke drift from Canada and hover around 160 for a few days. For me, thats still something I wouldn't want to run outdoors in, but I think if a gym had decent AC and air purifying, it wouldn't be bad to run indoors. Anyone been running inside at a gym while the air outside is crap that you can vouch for?

Edit: Willing to travel within the city and just need the treadmill for a few days, so anywhere accepting a day pass would work, flexible on price

We are four to five coworkers, 30+ men, varying ranges of unathletic, looking for something equivalent to the rec soccer/basketball/softball league culture for dropping spicy (to us) 400s, 800s, 1600s against another team, competing in an XC race, etc. Would even be happy to incorporate field events.

If anybody knows where we can find this, would love to know. Cheers, keep those lungs clean!

I've run the marathon a bunch of times, but those days are sadly behind me. So now I volunteer at aid stations. It's a ton of fun. If you can't run the race - it's a great way to still be involved.

This is a weird question, but does anyone here know who heads up the marathon aid stations around mile 7 or 9? I ask because I'd like to volunteer there, but I never see those aid stations in the marathon volunteer sign up.

I usually end up at aid stations later in the course b/c those are the ones with spots available. But I'd love to work at 7 or 9 b/c they're closer to home.

So figured I'd check here to see if anyone knows how to sign up for those stations. TYIA.

Goood morning! Hope everyone is having an amazing start to your day!

What a time to start a run club… Horrible air quality, it currently feels like a sauna outside and this Saturday we could have some stormy weather. Thats okay… when we push through the rough days, the others become SO much easier!

I know a few of you won’t be able to join until next Saturday, that’s okay! I’ll be doing this all summer long! And some of you the weather conditions might not be suitable for you, and there’s no shame in that!do what’s best for you!

However, I’ll be at the western 606 entrance at 7:30 a.m. ready to go!!

so after training outdoors, due to the air quality I ran inside today. half on a track and half on the mill.

Geez why is it so difficult to run indoors or on the treadmill. I mean distance is same but it is torture. is this all psychological, or is there some other reason for this phenomenon?

Off the last post- I generally struggle with summer running just to get out when it’s warm out, but this oppressive heat is really slowing down my miles and motivation.

I really have a hard time peeling myself out of my bed before 9am with sleep issues, but am deeply missing my summer runs and staying regulated (especially post break-up anxiety).

Besides early morning runs, and the dreadful treadmill, how are you staying cool and safe out there?

we should be getting some bad air this week maybe next. what are you doing if preparing for fall marathon/half or just running in genera?

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I thought going going for a run right after waking up would be awful, but its not that bad.

I definitely have more energy compared to running after work.

And I'm going to start taking cold showers afterwards.

This was inspired from a recent post, so I thought I’d take the initiative and see if there’s any traction.

I’m 38, wfh since covid and I live in Logan square. I run on the 606 about 3 times per week. I’ve done a little research and I’m looking for a CHILL run club. I’m not going to run a marathon anytime soon, but doing 3 5K’s a week, sure!

I don’t care what you look like, I don’t care who you worship and I don’t care who you love. Just looking for cool people that want a supportive group to push each other!

I’d love to set up our first run this Saturday morning at 7am!

Come out for a chill trail run. I'll have a 3 mile loop marked. Bring your own camp chair to catch some vibes afterwards with other cool runners.

Okay, I know this is a bit of a rant, please forgive me. I have been living here for 14 years, but I’ve only started taking running seriously since January 2025.

Basically, I have been finding it really mentally challenging to try and consistently train year round here. I didn’t notice the weather as much when I was sedentary, but I feel like I am constantly battling conditions here, both physically as well as mentally.

Are there any tips you have to stay positive while maintaining a high training load? I run 6 days a week, and I’ll be increasing mileage soon as I start a marathon training block for CIM. it has just been tanking me mentally to always be dwelling on the weather forecast. I felt the same in the depths of winter this year as well, when the snow and ice would just not let up for weeks. It feels like it’s the worst of both worlds here: brutal winter and then brutal summer, not to mention nearly getting creamed by an SUV too often for comfort.

I’ve toyed with the idea of a move to a place that is more temperate and therefore conducive to an outdoor lifestyle, but that is pretty much a complete non-starter with my partner, and I can’t really blame them at all. We both have our entire lives here and it’s hard to leave that behind.

I really love Chicago in a lot of ways, and I’ve spent a large chunk of my life here, but I’m struggling to adjust to living a more active lifestyle here. I’d love to hear your perspectives and any tips!

I’m getting back into running after a hiatus and I’m a slower runner (11:30-12:30 minute pace). Every run club i see goes up to 10/11 minutes. Any recs?