Running Together: 30 Years of Fleet Feet Chicago and Ravenswood Run 5K

2026 is a year full of milestones. For Fleet Feet Chicago and the Ravenswood Run 5K, it marks each organization’s 30th anniversary — as well as 30 years of working together to bring the Ravenswood Run 5K to life.

The Ravenswood Run 5K has a long-standing tradition of bringing the community together in the beautiful Ravenswood neighborhood while raising money for Ravenswood Community Services. Ravenswood Community Services provides meals and groceries to neighbors in need across the Uptown and Ravenswood communities on Chicago’s North Side.

As part of this year’s celebration, Ravenswood Community Services is Fleet Feet Chicago’s Charity of the Month in April. Race day is April 26th, and donations can be made in-store at all Fleet Feet Chicago locations throughout the entire month.

How did this race come to life? It started with a simple goal: to better serve the Ravenswood community.

Race founder Mary Roberts remembers when All Saints’ — the church that Ravenswood Community Services would grow out of — operated a small food pantry in its foyer. While the pantry regularly received donations of food and basic necessities, there was a clear and growing need for additional support to meet the community's needs. The idea for the race was born out of a desire to help fill that gap and better serve the individuals who relied on the pantry.

At the same time, Fleet Feet Chicago was just getting its start. Co-founder Lisa Zimmer was a running partner of Mary’s, and the two were training for their first marathon together during the store’s early days. Partnering on the Ravenswood Run 5K wasn’t a business decision—it was a grassroots collaboration between friends. Fleet Feet stepped in as a sponsor to support Mary and bring her vision for the pantry to life.

In those early days, the race was much more time consuming than today. Registration happened on paper, and organizing donations and distributing packets took more time, but was integral to the relationships that were being built. Despite the time commitment, Lisa had a great time working side by side with Mary, who brought joy and laughter to the work. Her heart and energy to help the community were infectious. 

Lisa credits the immediate growth of Fleet Feet Lincoln Square to those early packet pick-ups for the race.

There were some challenges getting the race off the ground. A big obstacle was simply getting people to sign up. In those first years, volunteers set up a table outside the church to talk with passersby about the race. Mary recalls one memorable moment when a fellow church friend quite literally chased down a runner to hand him a race flyer.

While the church’s rector at the time, the Reverend Bonnie Perry (now Bishop of Detroit), was an enthusiastic supporter, not everyone was immediately on board. Some church leaders were hesitant, questioning whether the race was worth the investment. Ultimately, they agreed to move forward with one condition: if the race operated at a loss, it would not continue.

That first year, fewer than 100 participants signed up, and expenses exceeded revenue. Determined to see the race succeed, Mary and her wife covered the difference themselves, ensuring the event could carry on and begin building what would become a lasting tradition.

The race has transformed tremendously since those early years. The original course was designed around access to water stops, many of which were hosted in parishioners’ homes. As the race grew and more resources became available, the course evolved as well, no longer relying on those informal stops and allowing for a more traditional race experience.

Participation has grown just as dramatically. What began with fewer than 100 runners has, over the years, expanded into a race that draws thousands. Through it all, volunteers have remained a constant — showing up year after year to support the race and the community it serves.

A large part of that growth can be attributed to the continued involvement of Fleet Feet, helping transform the event from a small, local fun run into a high-caliber neighborhood staple. With that support has come expanded resources and brand partnerships, including a footwear sponsorship with Altra.

As the race has grown, so has its impact — with increased participation and sponsorships directly translating into more funding for Ravenswood Community Services.

It’s easy to see why the race has resonated with so many people over the years. The race supports a vital community need. It provides essential financial resources to a service organization that directly supports the neighborhood. Ravenswood is also a wonderful area to run — historic, welcoming, and easy to access.

Thirty years later, the race is still going strong — and every part of the partnership has reason to be grateful. While Mary has stepped down as race director, she’s proud to see the event thriving and deeply appreciative of everyone who continues to show up year after year to make it possible.

Dave, Lisa, and the Fleet Feet Chicago team have carried the torch forward, working alongside Lori Gee and Ravenswood Community Services to create an exceptional experience each year. Mark Colpoys has also been instrumental in sustaining the race, bringing energy, tenacity, and sincerity to its continued success.

​On the Fleet Feet side, the race has become a powerful example of the impact of local community partnerships. The neighborhood continues to support Fleet Feet because of the support the business, in turn, provides.

Both Mary and Lisa have favorite memories from the race that have stayed with them over the years. For Mary, one moment stands out above the rest: standing at the start line just before the inaugural race began, when the streets were still and clear. At the intersection of Hermitage and Wilson, she looked up into the blue sky and felt a sense of pure joy. It was an extraordinary moment — surrounded by the quiet buzz of anticipation, with a community gathered and ready to step into whatever the race would bring.

​For Lisa, her favorite memories are rooted in family. She remembers the excitement the race brought her children when they were young — working in the Fleet Feet tent, handing out medals, and eventually running the race themselves.

​Ultimately, the race supports the vibrant Ravenswood neighborhood and the organization that gives directly back to it — Ravenswood Community Services. For 30 years, the race has endured through economic shifts and neighborhood changes, anchored by dedicated volunteers and a shared mission to serve the community.

​It stands as a testament to the power of a local community coming together to support its own.

​Join the Ravenswood Run 5k on April 26th, and donate to Ravenswood Community Services all April long in-store at any Fleet Feet Chicago location.