Long Run Group Options
When preparing for a marathon, a weekly long run is both one of the most important and one of the most intimidating elements of training. Why not conquer the distance with some company? A wide range of groups throughout Illinois host weekly long runs to help you prepare to run 26.2 this fall. Don’t see your training buddies on the list? Tell us about your group on Facebook or Twitter. We’d love to spread the word!
Chicago Area Runners Association
Training Begins: June 14
Group Runs:
- Chicago (Beverly): Saturdays, 6:30 a.m; Running Excels, 10328 S. Western Ave.
- Chicago (Lakeshore East): Saturdays, 6 a.m.; Universal Sole, 333 E. Benton Pl.
- Chicago (Hyde Park): Saturdays, 6 a.m.; LaRabida Hospital, southeast parking lot
- Chicago (Montrose Beach): Saturdays, 6 a.m., Saturdays, 6:30 a.m., Sundays, 6:30 a.m.; east of Montrose (Cricket) Hill by the brick concession building
- Darien: Saturdays, 7 a.m.; Waterfall Glen, trailhead lot on Cass Ave., south of I-55
- Libertyville: Saturdays, 6:45 a.m.; Old School Forest Preserve, Shelter C parking lot off St. Mary’s Rd.
- Niles: Saturdays, 7 a.m.; Bunker Hill Forest Preserve Grove 4
- Oak Forest: Saturdays, 6:50 a.m.; Yankee Woods Picnic Area on Central Ave. between 163rd and 167th
- Schaumburg: Saturdays, 6:45 a.m.; Busse Woods near Groves 26-27
- Wheaton: Saturdays, 6:45 a.m.; Caribou Coffee, 390 W. Front St.
Contact: Meg Sullivan, megan@cararuns.org
Cost: $75 for CARA members who have participated in five or more summer marathon training programs, $125 for CARA members who are previous participants in the summer marathon training program, $170 for CARA members, $210 for non-members
Chicago Endurance Sports
Training Begins: May 31 (Old Town and South Loop); June 1 (Lincoln Square)
Group Runs:
- Fleet Feet Sports Old Town: Saturdays, 6 a.m. (run/walk), Saturdays, 6:30 a.m. (run); 1620 N. Wells St., Chicago
- Fleet Feet Sports South Loop, Saturdays, 6:30 a.m. (run); 150 W. Roosevelt, Chicago
- Fleet Feet Sports Lincoln Square, Sundays, 6:30 a.m.; 4762 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago
Contact: info@chicagoendurancesports.com, 866-237-7861
Cost: $204 for CES alumni, $229 for new members
Clocktower Runners
Training Begins: Mid-June
Group Runs: Saturdays, 6:30 a.m.
Location: Waveland Clocktower, 3600 N. Recreation Dr. in Chicago
Contact: clocktowerrunners@gmail.com
Cost: Free with a suggested donation of $20 to cover training expenses
Coach Brendan Running
Training Begins: May 31
Group Runs: Saturdays, 6:30 a.m. (6 a.m. starting in July)
Location: Road Runner Sports, 1435 N. Kingsbury St., Chicago
Contact: Brendan Cournane, coach@coachbrendan.com, 312-287-5321
Cost: $175 for alumni, $195 for new participants
Coach Mark Buciak Endurance Training
Training Begins: May 17
Group Runs: Saturdays, 7 a.m.
Location: Oz Park, corner of Dickens and Larrabee
Contact: Coach Mark Buciak, 773-307-0033, theroadtoboston@rcn.com
Cost: $220
Crew Runs the World
Group Runs: Saturdays, 6:30 a.m.
Location: Road Runner Sports, 1435 N. Kingsbury St., Chicago
Contact: thecrewruns@gmail.com
CU Racing Team
Training Begins: July 20
Group Runs: Sundays, 8 a.m.
Location: Champaign-Urbana
Contact: racingteamcu@gmail.com
Dick Pond Carol Stream
Training Begins: May 10
Group Runs: Saturdays, 8 a.m. (earlier as mileage increases)
Location: Dick Pond Carol Stream, 26W515 St. Charles Rd., Carol Stream
Contact: 630-665-3316
Elmhurst Running Club
Training Begins: June 7
Group Runs: Saturdays, 6 a.m.
Contact: info@elmhurst-runners.com
Cost: $20 for individuals, $30 for families
Fox River Trail Runners
Training Begins: May 24
Group Runs: Saturdays, 7 a.m.
Location: Fabyan East Forest Preserve, Geneva
Contact: president@foxrivertrailrunners.org
Cost: $65-$75
Frankfort-New Lenox Running Club
Training Begins: June 14
Group Runs:
- Old Plank Trail & Schoolhouse Road in New Lenox: Saturdays, 7 a.m.
- Old Plank Trail & Cedar Road in New Lenox: Sundays, 7 a.m.
Contact: fnrunningclub@gmail.com
Frontrunners/Frontwalkers
Training Begins: July 6
Group Runs: Sundays, 9 a.m.
Location: Totem Pole, Addison and Lake Shore Drive on the Lakefront Trail
Contact: Corbin Woodling, info@frfwchicago.org
Cost: Free with $20 club membership
Glen Ellyn Runners
Training Begins: June 15
Group Runs: Sundays, 6:30 a.m.
Location: Near the gazebo on the Prairie Path in Glen Ellyn, directly across the tracks from the Glen Ellyn Metra station
Contact: membership@glenellynrunners.org
Cost: $52 for year-round group membership
Go! City Runners
Group Runs: Saturdays, 7 a.m.
Location: Nike Bucktown, 1640 N. Damen Ave., Chicago
Contact: gocityrunners@gmail.com
Heartland Road Runners & Walkers Club
Training Begins: July 12
Group Runs: Saturdays, 6 a.m.
Location: Washington Park in Quincy, IL
Contact: Doug Seeber, dseeber@adams.net, 217-242-7541
Life Time Fitness Algonquin
Training Begins: July 22
Group Runs: Tuesdays, 6 p.m., Saturdays, 7 a.m.
Location: Life Time Fitness, 451 Rolls Dr., Algonquin, IL 60102
Contact: Karie Stringer, kstringer@lifetimefitness.com, 224-623-2852
Cost: $26.20
Register: lifetimerun.com
Life Time Fitness Burr Ridge
Training Begins: June 24
Group Runs: Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m.; Saturdays, 8 a.m.
Location: Life Time Fitness, 601 Burr Ridge Parkway, Burr Ridge, IL 60527
Contact: Deborah Barnat, DBarnat@lifetimerun.com, 630-341-8312
Cost: $26.20
Register: lifetimerun.com
Life Time Fitness Romeoville
Training Begins: July 20 (Target race: Naperville Marathon)
Group Runs: Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m.; Saturdays, 8 a.m.
Location: Road Runner Sports, 2555 W. 75th St., Naperville, IL 60540
Contact: Deborah Barnat, DBarnat@lifetimerun.com, 630-341-8312
Cost: $26.20
Register: lifetimerun.com
Northern Illinois Trail Runners Organization (NITRO)
Training Begins: May 18
Group Runs: Saturdays, 7 a.m.
Location: Sycamore Park Shelter, 1245 Hillside Rd., Sycamore
Contact: president@nitroruns.org
Cost: Free with NITRO club membership ($25 for individuals, $30 for families)
North Shore Distance Running Club
Training Begins: June 14
Group Runs: Saturdays, 6:45 a.m.
Location: Parking lot of Shelter C (Sled Hill) in Old School Forest Preserve, Libertyville
Contact: bill.pierce@comcast.net, www.nsdrc.net
Cost: $50, $40 for current CARA members
Run Your Life
Training Begins: June 14
Group Runs: Saturdays, 8 a.m.
Location: Petersen Park in McHenry, IL
Contact: Charlene Myers-Sponholtz, runyourlife.director@gmail.com
Cost: $150
Three Run Two
Training Begins: June 9
Group Runs: Saturdays. Details for each week’s run posted on Facebook (www.facebook.com/3run2) on Friday afternoons.
Contact: 3run2chi@gmail.com
