Venados Running Club is a Latino-led running club based in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood.
1Venados Running Club is a Latino-led running club based in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood. The group was formed by a small group of Pilsen residents in the 1980s.
Enrique Rivera’s father was one of the first members of Venados.
"At the time running really wasn't seen as a Mexican sport," Rivera said. "So when they found it, it was basically a few like minded individuals who at the time just kind of found each other through running."
Today, the group meets every Wednesday at Monochrome Brewing in Pilsen and can garner around 70 runners on their route.
Ruby and Lucy Negrete are a mom-daughter duo who now act as the co-captains of the Venados Running Club.
"I got involved in the running club about 12 years ago, because my mom brought me after she came to run club a few times," Ruby said.
"I see old friends and old family members that I maybe have lost connection with and they see me participating and running and it's so beautiful to watch them come out," Lucy said.
Like many neighborhoods in Chicago, Pilsen has seen a lot of changes over the last few decades. However, club members say Venados creates a bridge between old and new Pilsen.
"You see the laughter in the brewery when it fills up and everyone's talking and laughing, talking about their runs," Rivera said. "It's very heartwarming to see what my dad and them started so long ago is still having a space here."
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