Where they meet
Chicago area
Community
Second City Track Club
Chicago, Illinois
Elite training hub for serious Chicago runners
About This Club
Second City Track Club is a Chicago team built around paid coaching, running everything from 5Ks to marathons on track and road. It says it takes beginners through elite athletes, but the structure, coaching fees, and capped athlete numbers point to people training with a specific race goal rather than showing up for a casual jog.
Highlights
- Old school hard-working team
- Blue collar city representation
- Capped coaching athlete numbers
- Personalized coaching
- Race training
- Access to elite team
Who It Suits
This suits runners training toward a specific 5K-to-marathon goal who want structured, paid coaching and are fine with a capped, committed roster. It's not built for casual social runners, walkers, slower-paced groups, or anyone looking for a low-stakes beer-run vibe; the record is explicit that those aren't the fit here.
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What a Run With Them Is Like
Work happens on track and road, built around race prep for 5K, 10K, half marathon, and marathon distances. This isn't a walk-friendly group and there's no stroller or dog accommodation mentioned, so plan on running the session as coached. Since coaching spots are capped, the group you train with is a defined roster, not an open drop-in crowd.
Distance5K, 10K, Half marathon, Marathon
PaceFrom beginners to elite levels
TerrainTrack, Road
Your First Run
Start by contacting the club through their website before you show up to anything, since coaching here is a paid service, not a free group run.
You'll want to look at the elite versus club options first and go in expecting to pay for coaching, somewhere in the $70-200+/month range depending on what you sign up for. This isn't the club to test out anonymously on a whim; the first step is a conversation, not a surprise appearance at a meetup.
Something to train for
Upcoming Races in Chicago
63 upcoming races in Chicago. Having one on the calendar is the easiest way to turn a few group runs into a habit.
Sat, Aug 1, 2026Dim Sum & Then Some: The Uptown 5K/10K & Kids Dash Chicago, ILFrom $55Details Sat, Aug 8, 2026Track Night Chicago Chicago, ILFrom $5Details Sat, Aug 15, 2026Prostate Cancer Awareness 5K Walk/Run/Bike Chicago, ILFrom $35Details
See all Chicago races
Common Questions About Second City Track Club
Do I have to pay to join?
Membership itself isn't required, but the coaching program is paid, running roughly $70-200+ per month depending on the option you choose.
Can I just show up to a run?
No, the first step is contacting the club through their website. This is a coached program, not a drop-in group run.
Is there room for beginners or is this only for elite runners?
The club says it coaches beginners through elite athletes, but coaching spots are capped, so availability depends on where they are with their numbers when you reach out.
Can I bring my dog or a stroller?
No, the club isn't set up for dogs or strollers.
What terrain and distances do they train for?
Training happens on track and road, geared toward 5K, 10K, half marathon, and marathon race distances.
Where this comes from: Club details come from each club’s own channels (their site, Meetup, Strava and social posts) and are checked by hand. Group runs move, so confirm the meeting spot on the club’s latest post before you head out. Last updated April 2026.