On The 9 Run Crew Promotes Health And Highlights The South Side

-- On the 9 Run Crew’s one year anniversary run. Photo provided by On the 9 Run Crew.
-- On the 9 Run Crew’s one year anniversary run. Photo provided by On the 9 Run Crew.

On The 9 Run Crew Promotes Health And Highlights The South Side

By Tia Carol Jones

Neishe Russell and Phil Weatherspoon co-founded On the 9 Run Crew in 2024 because they wanted to have a running presence on the South side of Chicago. They were a part of another run crew that met every single Saturday for two years. When it disbanded, they didn’t want to lose the connections they made, so they started On the 9 Run Crew.

Russell wanted to call it On the 9 as a nod to 79th street, which is sometimes referred to the 9, because she wanted the run crew to represent the South side of Chicago. On the 9 runs through different communities on the South side. The run crew runs all year round. Weatherspoon said with On the 9, it creates a community space while also giving people the opportunity to appreciate the beauty of the South Side.

“When you’re able to run through your community, you’re able to see things that you’re not going to see when you’re driving. Also, all the parks and green space that we have on the South side that can be underutilized,” Weatherspoon said.

Russell agreed that while running through the South Side, it is easy to see how many beautiful spaces there are in the community. She said she is excited that while running in the community, the runners receive support and encouragement from people who see them. She said it also motivates other people when community members see them running. As a registered nurse, Russell knows the importance of movement and being active. 

Weatherspoon said On the 9 Run Crew is also using their runs to feature and support local businesses. He said it is a good way to forge relationships between the run crew and businesses in the community. One place the runners frequent is Carver47, which is located at 1050 E. 47TH Street. 

Weatherspoon said the crew first started in 2024 with just a few runners. Through Instagram and word of mouth, as well as partnerships with local businesses and running organizations, they have grown. They have a cheering section at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, and they are an official recognized partner of the Bank of America running series. He said there are people from all over the city who come to run with them.

“It has really been an amazing journey to see all of these people come and build a community with us,” Weatherspoon said. 

Runners from On the 9 Run Crew have participated in the Chicago Marathon, Shamrock Shuffle and Half Marathon. They have also run races in Milwaukee, Detroit and Miami. Russell said the runners really enjoy supporting each other and cheering each other on during marathons. 

Russell said while people were always participating in run clubs, during the pandemic and after is when there were more people joining the groups. She added that with social media, more people are becoming aware of run clubs. Weatherspoon said people are also using run clubs and crews as a way to meet people and connect. 

For more information about On the 9 Run Crew, follow @onthe9runcrew on Instagram. 


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