Read & Run Tours: Book Club Run of Summerdale with David Jay Collins

Kick off your Halloween weekend with David Jay Collins on Thursday, October 29, for a special 2.5-mile, Summerdale-inspired running route (12:00 minute per mile) using the Read & Run Tours format. This immersive experience invites readers to step beyond the pages into the real-life setting of his horror novels while stopping along the way at locations connected to his novels and local businesses. You'll get insider scoops and lesser-known Chicago history.

Your ticket includes...

• The guided 2.5-mile route through Andersonville - with backstory at every stop
• Post-run book discussion centered on Summerdale and queer horror

...and these treats!

• One gift-size bag of Summerdale Crunch from our friends at Candyality
• One hand-crafted drink from The Understudy cafe
• One souvenir 2026 Summerdale runner's bib

Whether you're a horror bookworm, Chicago fanatic, or just looking for a spooky adventure on foot, this is the perfect opportunity to meet fellow runners and talk about the Summerdale horror trilogy directly with the author!

Following the route, stick around for Summerdale-themed drinks at The Understudy and an intimate Q&A with David.

About the book:

Four gay men, four addictions, one landlord from Hell, and one house that only they can see: what could go wrong?

Spoiler: a lot goes wrong in David Jay Collins's bloodcurdling trilogy Summerdale.

In this series, David uses characters Steve, Eric, David, and Aaron to expose difficult, problematic aspects within the gay community—and entertain readers with hints at long-forgotten Andersonville history.

Here's the schedule:

• 6:30 PM Arrive at The Understudy (5531 N Clark) to drop your belongings and pick up your souvenir run bib
• 6:35 PM Program begins
• 6:40 PM 2.5-mile run with stops with David Jay Collins
• 8:00 PM Q&A with David Jay Collins

What's included in your ticket:

• 2.5-mile guided running route
• Q&A with David Jay Collins
• One Summerdale-themed speciality drink from The Understudy
• Small bag of Candyality’s spooky* caramel corn blend, Summerdale Crunch. This is a seasonal mix of two caramel corns, mini Kit Kat and Oreo, chocolate-covered pretzels, chocolate drizzle, and ghastly candy eyes

Pre reading:

We strongly recommend reading the first novel in the Summerdale series prior to the event. The books are available in the following formats from David Jay Collins’s site here: ebook or paperback. Bonus? Grab a Summerdale T-shirt and wear it on the run.

Q&A-only option:

If you loved the book but prefer to join only for the author chat, meet runners at The Understudy at 8pm! Please note that the exact starting time for the Q&A is heavily dependent on route conditions, and those arriving for this portion only are expected to be patient.

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

About David Jay Collins: Collins has written six novels and lives in Lakeview.

INCLEMENT WEATHER PLAN: If it becomes unsafe to run outside, we will have drinks and a book club discussion at The Understudy starting at 6:30pm. You will be notified via email no later than 5pm on Thursday, October 29 if there are any changes to the event.

BIKING THE ROUTE: If you loved the novels but prefer to bike, scooter, skateboard, rollerblade, wheelchair race--whatever!-- this route, you are welcome so long as you manage your own safety. We’d still love to have you!

All registered attendees will receive reminder details two days and four hours prior to the event.

Looking for other events in Chicago using the Read & Run Tours format? Visit Read & Run Chicago to learn more about their signature events using the Read & Run Tours format.