The Curious Ultrarunner’s Secret Society (CUSS), an all-inclusive running and coaching group, met on the empty intersection of Lincoln Marshfield Avenues on Aug. 30 to kick off the Dolly Parton Tribute Run in honor of the late artist.
Runners braved the chill and drizzling rain that morning for a run highlighting key filming locations for Parton’s 1992 romantic comedy Straight Talk, eventually arriving at the Dolly Parton mural outside the Lytle House events space, 5517 N. Broadway, which has been a gathering point for Parton’s Chicago fans since the singer’s death on Aug. 25.
The run, following a path east on School Street then turning north on Broadway, featured an incentive wherein CUSS would donate $5 per participant to Parton’s Imagination Library reading program.
CUSS is the brainchild of Coach Ally Gregory and has been operating as a welcoming running group which embraces transgender, disabled, LGBTQ+, straight, and People of Color. Per the organization website C.U.S.S., “was established to inject a sense of whimsy, fun, and passion into training … Our policies are meant to reflect that and are ever revolving to ensure that everyone feel that they belong at our events, everyone except racist, homophobic, transphobic, and sexist individuals.”
Dolly’s memory gets warm embrace from Chicago runners
