The Chicago Area Runners Association is a 501c3 non-profit organization committed to serving and advocating for the local running community. We are Chicagoland’s running club, providing accessible opportunities for all runners to train, race, learn, be social, and volunteer.
Your donation supports:
Advocacy: We are the voice of running, keeping running safe and accessible.
Community Service: CARA members provide over 40,000 hours of volunteer service each year for the running community.
Removing Barriers: Making running more accessible through the neighborhood park-based, ‘Go Run program which provides free and welcoming 5K and 1 Mile events in underserved parks.
Charity Running: Subsidized training for charity runners raising funds for over 50 local and national charities.
Hydration: Hydration stations along the Lakefront Trail and at six different suburban trailheads serve up to 20,000 cups of water and Gatorade Endurance on a given weekend.
Better Races: CARA Race Certification and free race director clinics helping local races improve their safety and operational standards.
Education: Clinics from top experts to help runners gain the knowledge to take their running to new levels.
