Chicago Run

What Chicago Run does

Chicago Run is a Chicago-based nonprofit that delivers running-based youth development programs to children and adolescents from Pre-K through young adulthood, with an explicit focus on underserved communities where access to safe play is limited by systemic barriers. The organization operates four sequentially tiered core programs—Striders (Pre-K to 2nd grade), Chicago Runners (3rd to 5th grade), Running Mates (middle and high school), and LACE Up! (alumni leadership)—supplemented by an annual Fun Run community event, the Team Chicago Run endurance fundraising team, a volunteer engagement program, and a digital fitness video library. Programs are delivered through a trauma-informed, non-competitive curriculum that uses the PACER Fitness Test for aerobic-capacity assessment and the Hello Insight Survey for social-emotional outcome measurement, with all student data governed by a SOPPA- and FERPA-compliant data minimization policy.

Programs are distributed via direct institutional partnerships rather than paid channels: Chicago Run is an official Healthy CPS Partner delivering during-school programming inside Chicago Public Schools classrooms, runs Running Mates teams through the Chicago Park District (including summer day camps), and operates programs inside the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center for residents aged 12-17. The co-founders are Bryan Traubert and Penny Pritzker. As of 2024, the organization is led by Executive Director Kyra Marcano, supported by a 9-person full-time staff supplemented by volunteer running buddies, cheer squads, and LACE Up! junior coaches drawn from local universities.

The revenue model is entirely donation-based. Individual giving is structured around $50 to $1,000 impact tiers mapped to specific program outputs (e.g., $1,000 funds a Running Mates coach for a season), plus a $650 fundraising commitment from Team Chicago Run endurance athletes. Corporate sponsorships anchor both the annual Fun Run (Nike, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, Culligan, Wintrust) and Team Chicago Run (Wintrust, Bank of America). Fleet Feet Chicago provides complementary training, and race-day operations are co-executed with the Chicago Area Runners Association.

Name

Chicago Run

Legal name

Chicago Run

Website

https://chicagorun.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Chicago Run is a Chicago-based nonprofit delivering running-based youth development programs from Pre-K through young adulthood to underserved communities via school, park, and detention center partnerships, funded by individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and endurance fundraising events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Physical Activity Programs

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Outdoor Education & Adventure Programs (School-Run) (EDAJAJAJ)

Keywords

• Youth running programs
• Physical activity education
• Social-emotional learning
• Community youth development
• Nonprofit fitness programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: General donations from individuals supporting youth running programs, with specific impact tiers ($50-$1,000).
2. Donations: General donations from individuals supporting youth running programs, with specific impact tiers ($50-$1,000).
3. Team Chicago Run Fundraising: Fundraising commitment of $650 for self-secured entry runners, plus corporate team entries. Funds support coaching and safe spaces to move.
4. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorships for annual Fun Run events (2,500+ attendees) and Team Chicago Run marathon participants.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Chicago Run delivers free, trauma-informed, non-competitive running and physical activity programs to Chicago youth from Pre-K through high school and into young adulthood, delivered directly in schools, parks, and juvenile detention facilities. Its core curriculum includes Striders (Pre-K-2nd grade), Chicago Runners (3rd-5th grade), Running Mates (middle/high school) and LACE Up! (alumni leadership), supplemented by an annual Fun Run, Team Chicago Run marathon fundraising, and online fitness videos.

Product overview

Chicago Run is a nonprofit organization offering a unified portfolio of structured youth running and physical activity programs. The core offerings include Striders (Pre-K to 2nd grade), Chicago Runners (3rd to 5th grade), Running Mates (middle/high school), and LACE Up! (alumni leadership). These are complemented by the annual Fun Run event, Team Chicago Run endurance fundraising program, Volunteer opportunities, and digital Fitness Videos. The programs use trauma-informed, non-competitive approaches to build social-emotional skills, delivered through schools and community organizations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Striders

Quantifiable outcome

• 72% of after-school participants report being more likely to come to school when they have Chicago Run
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Chicago Public Schools (CPS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChicago Run is an official Healthy CPS Partner, in collaboration with the Office of Student Health and Wellness. During-school programs support CPS schools in achieving district-wide health-and-wellness goals stated within each site's Healthy CPS Checklist and Continuous Improvement Work Plan.
• Chicago Park DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership brings running and movement activities from Chicago Runners program to Chicago Park Day Camp during summer. Community-based Running Mates teams are also hosted at parks throughout Chicago.
• Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center (JTDC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership brings Running Mates program to residents aged 12-17 living in the facility. Each season, participants are provided appropriate running shoes during practices while they train for a race hosted inside the facility.
• Fleet Feet ChicagocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerComplimentary training program powered by Fleet Feet (virtual and group options) provided to Team Chicago Run members to motivate and prepare runners of all experience levels for Chicago and New York-based races.
• WintrustminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner for Team Chicago Run; featured on Team Chicago Run corporate partner logo section.
• Bank of AmericaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner for Team Chicago Run; provides guaranteed entry for Bank of America Chicago Marathon and Chicago 13.1 events.
• CulliganminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFun Run sponsor - logo displayed in Fun Run sponsors section.
• Blue Cross Blue Shield of IllinoisminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFun Run sponsor - logo displayed in Fun Run sponsors section.
• NikeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFun Run sponsor - logo displayed in Fun Run sponsors section.
• United Cardiovascular ManagementminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFun Run sponsor - logo displayed in Fun Run sponsors section.
• WintrustminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFun Run sponsor - logo displayed in Fun Run sponsors section.
• Cubs CharitiesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity supporter - Kathleen Amatangelo listed as individual supporter with Cubs Charities connection.
• Chicago Area Runners Association (CARA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCARA's 'Go Run program' hosts the fall Running Mates 1-mile race. Chicago Run collaborates with CARA for race-day needs.
• Universal SoleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrail run partner for fall Running Mates 5K race (previous race location).
• United Neighborhood Organization (UNO)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Carrera de los Muertos 5K in Pilsen (previous race location).

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubevimeo.com/chicagorun
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/chicago-run

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Chicago Run