The Gayborhood: A Literary Fun Run with author David Jay Collins

Kick off Memorial Day weekend and Pride Month early with a ~3.5-mile book club with David Jay Collins’s inspired by his novel Gaybash, a novel set during Memorial Day weekend in Boystown/Northalsted. On this fun run, we'll visit several iconic Boystown locations included in the novel and that hold special meaning for both the author and one of the country's most famous "gayborhoods." No prior reading required.

After the guided run, hang out with author David Jay Collins at Elevate Coffee and purchase your copy of Gaybash. One coffee or tea included in every ticket.

MEET: Doors open at Elevate Coffee (Google Maps link here) at 5:45pm on Friday, May 23. You can drop personal items at Elevate before the run. The program will begin promptly at 6:00pm.

ROUTE: We will run an easy-paced, ~3.5 mile route inspired by the book, stopping at locations in the lives of characters Matt and Greg that also signify safety for Chicago's LGBTQ community.

END: The post-run meet-and-greet with David Jay Collins will be held at Elevate Coffee (Google Maps link here). If you loved the book but prefer to join only for the author meet-and-greet, meet the group at Elevate at 7:30pm. David will also have books for sale, will sign books, and will answer any questions you have about being an indie author.

All registered attendees will receive reminder emails and details 2 days and 4 hours prior to the event.

About : Collins works for Northwestern University and lives in Lakeview. He is the author of the Summerdale horror trilogy.

Read & Run Chicago is a chapter of Read & Run Tours, LLC, the country’s first and only organization that hosts running events inspired by books. Founded in 2021 by queer educator, freelance writer, and runner Allison Yates, the mission of Read & Run Tours, LLC and the city chapters is to use movement and stories to explore locations. Our community-focused run programming includes running tours, book club runs, author talks, and other literary-themed fun runs all inspired by books set in the cities where chapters are located, written by local authors. While connecting runners to the city’s stories, we also actively support literacy programs, public libraries, independent bookstores, and local authors.

In Chicago, we have hosted more than 100 events (in English and Spanish) for over 300 Chicagoans, featuring over 30 authors or local experts, and we have been featured in various media outlets including CNN, Runner’s World, Midwest Living, NBC’s Chicago Today, Fox32 Good Day Chicago, WGN Radio, Block Chicago, and more.

More information at readandrunchicago.com, Instagram, and Facebook.

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Also check out other Arts events in Chicago, Literary Art events in Chicago.