So we’re back with another run club review, and this one took us out of the city proper and up to Skokie. Stop number two in our run every run club in Chicago series, and honestly, Skokie Swifters came in strong.
Skokie Swifters started in 2021 and they meet at Sketchbook Brewery in Skokie, which is already a great sign. The Tuesday evening run is their big one, and they’re pulling 40 to 50 people, which is impressive for a suburban club. Paces range from 8 minute miles all the way to 12, and there’s also a solid walking contingent, which I genuinely loved to see. Strollers welcome too, and I was not the only one out there pushing one.
Where Skokie Swifters Run
The route is the Skokie Valley Trail running south as an out and back. It’s a smart setup because it’s the same thing Rogers Park Running Club does with their loop, everyone passes each other on the way back. You get to see the whole group, cheer people on, and it just creates a good energy. Max distance on Tuesday evenings is around 4 miles, which is really accessible, especially for newer runners.
The Vibe
Okay so this is where Skokie Swifters really stood out. Everyone was incredibly friendly. And I mean everyone. Even the handful of other first timers were introducing themselves to each other, which I’ve never really seen at a run club before. The whole group was cheering each other on throughout the run, not just at the finish. It had this genuine community feel that you can’t fake.
I actually met a woman who had been a runner for 10 years but was running with a club for the first time because she was looking for community. And that kind of says it all, right? Skokie Swifters is the kind of group that makes you wonder why you waited so long.
The group is diverse in every sense, paces, ages, backgrounds, and they stick around at Sketchbook Brewery after the run, which is always a good sign that people actually like each other.
More Than Just Running
Skokie Swifters also does a lot of non running activities together, which tells you this is a community first, run club second kind of situation. They’ve got Swifter Spirit Week coming up in July, so if you’re looking for a reason to check them out, that’s a pretty fun entry point.
They also do a weekend longer run for those who want more miles.
Skokie Swifters Scores
- Friendliness: 5/5
- Paces offered: 4.5/5
- Route guidance: 4/5
- After run vibes: 5/5
- General vibes: 5/5
Overall: 4.7/5
If you’re a new runner, or someone who’s been running solo for years and is finally ready to find your people, Skokie Swifters is the move. Easily one of the most welcoming groups I’ve visited so far. The suburbs are not playing around.
