Membership in the Oak Park Runners Club New! Click here to buy club gear online Race That's Good for Life 2011 Pictures! New! Join the club or renew your membership online!

Join the Oak Park Runners Club (OPRC). Our club is one of the oldest and most active runners' organizations in the Chicago area. Our members are a diverse group - young & not so young, fast & not so fast, recreational runners & competitive racers, joggers & marathoners. However, we share a common enthusiasm for running that's contagious. Our love of the sport, and the camaraderie & support you'll find as an OPRC member, will help make your running more fun and rewarding. Club activities and member benefits are designed to appeal to the runner in you, no matter what kind of runner that is. No prior running experience required.

Club Activities & Events

OPRC activities include Monday Night Fun Runs, Tuesday Monthly Meetings, Wednesday Night Speed Training, Saturday Morning Fun Runs, Sunday Monthly Trail Runs, Running for OPRC in the CARA Circuit Races, The Race That’s Good for Life, Chicago Marathon Water Station volunteering, as well as additional special events throughout the year. These activities help members enhance the pleasures of running, as well as allow members to interact and create friendships in running & non-running activities.

Club Meetings are generally held the first Tuesday of each month, starting at 7:15 p.m. and held at Oak Park's Main Public Library (2nd floor Veterans meeting room) located at 834 Lake St. No meeting in July, August, or December. April meeting is off-site in preparation for our club’s race. Check out the calendar or e-mail us at oprc@oprc.net to confirm the time and location of the next monthly meeting. Open to All. Monthly meetings include:

• Informative presentations on topics ranging from training techniques, injury prevention, shoe selection, youth running, yoga, and more
• Annual presentation by the Chicago Marathon race director
• Presentations by club members on topics such as cross-training or out-of-town racing vacations or running camp
• Annual club picnic in July, annual Grant Park concert in August, annual awards banquet in December

Wednesday Night Speed Training

Speed training runs from April through October. No matter what your current pace, these sessions will improve performance at all distances. Note: There is an additional registration fee for these speed training sessions. More information: http://track.oprc.net/trackinfo

Saturday Morning Fun Runs

Ranging in distance from 10 miles and longer for more experienced runners, our Saturday runs are ideal if you're training for a medium- or long-distance race, or if you just want to keep up a good base of weekend miles. Runs start from Home & Madison Streets in Oak Park at 7:30 a.m. sharp November–April and 7:00 a.m. sharp May–October. Participants occasionally gather for breakfast after the run at a local restaurant. We run year-round in all weather. A few runners do not go the whole route, turning back at intermediate points.

Sunday Monthly Trail Runs

Once a month on a Sunday morning from Spring through Fall, OPRC meets at a location in Oak Park and carpools to run a local Chicago area trail. Trails are generally within 30 miles, and include locations such as Argonne/Waterfall Glen, Prairie Path, Salt Creek, North Branch River Trail, or the Lakefront Trail. These trail runs offer variety so members can be exposed to the great trails in the area; they also offer variety in your training by adding hills, soft surface, etc. Check out the calendar, or e-mail us at oprc@oprc.net to find out about the next trail run.

Run for OPRC in CARA Circuit Races

Be part of the OPRC team that competes with other clubs for points in races on the Chicago Area Runners Association (CARA) race circuit. Any member, regardless of speed or experience, is a welcome addition to the team. Wear an OPRC singlet for the races to be identified as a member of the team!

The Race That's Good For Life

Widely recognized as one of the best & fastest 5Ks in Illinois, The Race That's Good for Life in early April (April 3rd this year) is our club’s annual race, drawing more than 1000 competitors. Although we receive considerable support from several major sponsors, OPRC members are solely responsible for planning and conducting the race. Serving on the race committee offers members an excellent opportunity to play key roles in this prestigious race while getting better acquainted with other club members.

Chicago Marathon Water Station

OPRC volunteers annually staff a water station at the Chicago Marathon in early October. Even if you're not a marathoner, you can still be part of the action by working at our water stop. It's an exciting opportunity to work side-by-side with other club members while providing a vital service to your sport.

New! Renew your membership online!

If you would rather mail your membership fee to us, please attach this form with your check.

For more information contact:
The Oak Park Runners Club
PO Box 2322
Oak Park, IL 60303-2322
oprc@oprc.net