Chicago running events cancelled due to pandemic

Many of Chicago’s summer running events have been canceled due to the recent pandemic.

Nearly every weekend in Chicago, somewhere along the lakefront, runners gather to participate in the races, which have become significant fundraisers for charitable organizations.

The many cancellations have caused a gap in their fundraising efforts.

“Our run in July is probably our second biggest fundraiser for the year,” Les Turner ALS Foundation director of communications Jeremy Barewin said. “The Strike Out ALS 5k has been done for many years and brings out so many friends and families. We’ll really miss that this year.”

Even though the event has been cancelled, folks can still contribute and compete by doing a virtual run anytime between now and the previously scheduled run date of July 16.

“We even have an app that runners can sign into and post their videos,” Barewin adds.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation has canceled an event at Montrose Harbor but also went the virtual route. “We had over 100 teams compete and send in videos,” Make-A-Wish spokesperson Jessica Miller said. “It’s not the same, but a pretty good turnout considering.”

One of the city's largest events, the JP Morgan Corporate Challenge, was scheduled for Memorial Day weekend, but instead of going virtual, they tried rescheduling the event for Aug. 27.

“We were hoping to still get teams together and raise money,” said Tom Dooley of LakeShore Athletic Services, which helps to organize the event. The run raises funds for Chicago Cares Charity.

Dooley also coordinates the Lurie Cancer Survivors walk in Streeterville. That event will do a virtual walk in hopes of gaining some portion of revenues they would normally receive.

And the city’s biggest race, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, at press time, is still scheduled for Oct. 11.