Why Melissa Runs for the Parks
Meet Team ChiParks in our ongoing ‘Why I Run for the Parks’ blog series highlighting members of our 2025 charity team.
The Chicago Parks Foundation has been a proud Bank of America Chicago Marathon charity partner since 2013, as well as the Bank of America Chicago 13.1.
These dedicated runners choose to make their miles extra meaningful by running on behalf of a charity. Since our start, Team ChiParks and their supporters have raised nearly $2 million for the parks - vital park projects, community programming, our citywide volunteer efforts, and more. This is the Chicago Parks Foundation’s largest annual fundraiser. We are thankful to our team!
Meet Melissa Smith,
Melissa will be running her third marathon this year - and her first with Team ChiParks! She’s also completed the Green Bay Marathon and the NYC Marathon.
WHAT DOES RUNNING THE 2025 BANK OF AMERICA CHICAGO MARATHON MEAN TO YOU?
I'm very excited to run the Marathon in my home city. I regularly travel to run, but this will be a huge home race down the streets I know and love. Can't wait to have my friends and family cheering me on as well!
WHY TEAM CHIPARKS
I'm a huge parks lover and supporter. I have worked with the parks on architectural projects to improve accessibility to polling sites, and I regularly workout and run in the parts. The outdoors is one of my biggest loves, ever since growing up in Colorado camping and skiing in the mountains. Our outdoor spaces are perhaps America's greatest asset, so I'm running for the parks to work to keep them clean and encourage others to get outside.
“Our outdoor spaces are perhaps America’s greatest asset, so I’m running for the parks to work to keep them clean and encourage others to get outside.”
WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT CHICAGO’S PARKS?
I love working out in the parks! Your indoor gyms are great, I have friends and coworkers that use them regularly, especially in the winter. I'm also part of a group called November Project that works out outdoors in the parks twice a week. We love getting to visit new parks every month and try to encourage our neighbors to join in for the workout. The parks are a great space to foster both personal fitness and a love of the outdoors. Hoping someday to try ice skating in Humboldt Park or canoeing from Ping Tom!
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT TRAINING FOR THE CHICAGO MARATHON?
The community! Training for a marathon is tough, especially if it's your first. It's hard on the body and often even harder on the mind, so having a great support group is important to encourage you when you're down. I was involved in a challenge with some friends to run as many miles as possible during the month of February, and it's been so great to both push each other to do our best and to share tips and tricks to stay healthy and prevent injury.
OTHER THAN RUNNING, WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO IN YOUR FREE TIME?
Traveling is one of my biggest passions. I'm especially fond of solo travel because when I travel alone I'm more inclined to chat with locals and learn more about the culture of the place. My other interests include rock climbing, hiking, thrifting clothes, cooking, going to concerts, and drinking beer.
